Trump heightens trade war with more China tariffs
China US Trade War
China tariffs – US President Donald Trump has said he will impose a fresh 10% tariff on another $300bn (£247bn) of Chinese goods, in a sharp escalation of a trade war between the two countries.
It came after the latest round of bilateral talks showed little sign of a breakthrough.
The new tariffs, due to take effect on 1 September, effectively tax all Chinese imports to the US.
The duty is likely target a wide range of goods, from smartphones to clothing.
Mr Trump announced the tariff plan on Twitter while criticising China for not honouring promises to buy more US agricultural products at this week’s negotiations in Shanghai.
He also attacked Chinese President Xi Jinping for failing to do more to stem sales of the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
In later remarks, the president told reporters the 10% tariff was a short-term measure and that tariffs could be lifted further in stages to more than 25%.
“Somebody should have done this with China a long time ago,” he added.
In later remarks, the president told reporters the 10% tariff was a short-term measure and that tariffs could be lifted further in stages to more than 25%.
“Somebody should have done this with China a long time ago,” he added.
The resulting tensions have also influenced the US central bank, the Federal Reserve, which cut interest rates on Wednesday for the first time in a decade.
Fed chair Jerome Powell said it was not the Fed’s job to criticise US trade policy, but added that trade tensions had “nearly boiled over” during May and June.
China and the US have been engaged in a fractious dispute over trade since the early days of Mr Trump’s presidency.
While campaigning for the presidential election in 2016, Mr Trump repeatedly accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft.
He also wants to cut America’s trade deficit with China, which he says is hurting US manufacturing.
Over the past year, both sides have imposed tariffs on billions of dollars of one another’s goods.
Despite several rounds of talks, the world’s two largest economies have failed to reach an agreement to end the trade war which has rattled investors and cast a shadow over the global economy.
Source – https://www.bbc.co.uk
