If he were to retake the presidency, former president Donald Trump has stated on Sunday that he would contemplate slapping tariffs of up to 60% on all imports from China. He speaks at a time when US-China relations, both economic and otherwise, are at an all-time high.
When asked by Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo about the possibility of a 60% tariff, Trump responded, “No, I would say maybe it’s going to be more than that,” according to The Washington Post, citing Trump’s comments.
In June 2018, Trump levied 25% tariffs on $50 billion worth of Chinese imports while still in office. The tariff spiral continued until 2020, when the two nations finally reached an agreement after Beijing responded with its own levies. Much of the tariff policy that was put in place by Trump has remained in place since Biden took office.
Additionally, the ex-president expressed his belief that China would endeavour to meddle in the 2024 presidential race.
I believe they will, and they will not be swayed to act in my favour. Trump advocated for voter ID, same-day voting, paper ballots, and the elimination of mail-in ballots.
While meeting with President Joe Biden in November, Chinese leader Xi Jinping assured Biden that China will not meddle in the 2024 US presidential election, according to AWN. Chinese hackers are planning to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” to the US, according to FBI Director Christopher Wray’s warning on Wednesday.
“I want China to do great, I do,” Trump added, while praising Xi, whom he called “a very good friend of mine during my term.”
Because it would “jeopardise my negotiating ability with China,” Trump refused to declare if he would intervene if China attempted to take over Taiwan.
Even though China has never had formal sovereignty over Taiwan, the island is nevertheless considered part of China’s territory by the ruling Communist Party. Xi Jinping has hinted at the possibility of using military force to “reunify” Taiwan with the mainland.
Meanwhile, Beijing sees the United States’ obligation to equip Taiwan with military defence capabilities under the Taiwan Relations Act as an intrusion into its domestic affairs.