Trump Threatens to Escalate Trade War with China and Allies

 

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Donald Trump has sounded the alarm on a trade war with key trade partners, even before officially assuming office as President of the United States. His aggressive trade stance includes threats to raise import tariffs on several countries, particularly China. Initially, three countries would be hit by these high tariffs: China, Mexico, and Canada. Trump intends to impose a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada, and a 10% tariff on goods imported from China. "On January 20, as one of my first executive orders, I will sign all the necessary documents to impose a 25% tariff on all products entering the United States from Mexico and Canada," Trump stated on his Truth Social platform.

While the tariffs on Mexico and Canada would be lower than those on China, they would still be significantly higher than the current import duties on goods from these two countries. According to Trump, this policy aims to curb the flow of illegal immigrants from these countries into the U.S. via the borders where goods are imported and exported. Additionally, the move is meant to stop illegal drugs, including fentanyl, from entering the U.S. from Mexico, Canada, and China.

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"These tariffs will remain in place until drugs, particularly fentanyl, and all illegal immigrants cease their invasion of our country!" Trump added.

 He also mentioned that his administration had repeatedly asked China to take action against drug traffickers supplying the U.S. but had not seen any results. 

"I've had many talks with China about the large amounts of drugs, particularly fentanyl, coming into the United States. But nothing has been done," he said.

In response, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., argued that China had been working to crack down on drug trafficking within its borders and prevent illegal drugs from being exported to the U.S.

 "The idea that China is deliberately allowing fentanyl precursors to flow into the United States is completely contrary to the facts and reality," said Pengyu.

Regarding the tariffs imposed on China, Pengyu expressed hope that these policies would ultimately benefit both the U.S. and China. 

"On the issue of tariffs, China believes that economic and trade cooperation between the two countries is mutually beneficial. No one will win in a trade war or tariff war," he remarked.

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Trump had already initiated a trade war during his first term as president from 2017 to 2021. The trade conflict was sparked by Trump’s dissatisfaction with the U.S. trade deficit with China. In response, Trump raised tariffs on solar panels and washing machines to 30% and 20%, respectively. This action marked the beginning of the trade war on January 22, 2018.

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Trump further imposed a 25% tariff on steel imports and a 10% tariff on aluminum in March 2018. In retaliation, China raised tariffs on U.S. pork and scrap aluminum by 25% and implemented a 15% tariff on 120 American commodities, including almonds and apples. China also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) regarding the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.