Trump warns China not to retaliate as trade war escalates
Tensions between Washington and Beijing were put in sharp focus on Monday after a series of tweets by Donald Trump aimed at Chinese counterpart President Xi.
In a number of posts addressing the US’s decision to increase tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods, Trump took a bullish approach.
He tweeted: “There will be nobody left in China to do business with. Very bad for China, very good for USA! But China has taken so advantage of the US for so many years, that they are way ahead (Our Presidents did not do the job). Therefore, China should not retaliate-will only get worse!”
Soon after, he added: “I say openly to President Xi & all of my many friends in China that China will hurt very badly if you don’t make a deal because companies will be forced to leave China for other countries. Too expensive to buy in China. You had a great deal, almost completed, & you back out!”
On midnight on Friday, the US more than doubled tariffs on $200bn of Chinese goods imported into the country, after talks between the two countries failed to secure a breakthrough in the escalating trade war. The two countries appeared on cordial terms, however, with US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin calling the discussions “constructive”.
Trump initially also said the talks had been “candid and constructive”, tweeting on Friday: “The relationship between President Xi and myself remains a very strong one, and conversations into the future will continue.”
But he went on to adopt a less diplomatic tone as the weekend went on, and on Sunday tweeted: “We are right where we want to be with China. Remember, they broke the deal with us & tried to renegotiate. We will taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China. Buyers of product can make it themselves in the USA (ideal), or buy it from non-Tariffed countries.”
He continued: “We will then spend (match or better) the money that China may no longer be spending with our Great Patriot Farmers (Agriculture), which is a small percentage of total Tariffs received, and distribute the food to starving people in nations around the world! GREAT!”
China said it “deeply regrets” the US’s decision to raise tariffs and is expected to retaliate with “necessary countermeasures”.