Trump Quadruples Down on China Tariff Threat

'China apparently has no intention of changing its unfair practices'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 19, 2018 12:50 AM CDT
Trump Threatens Tariffs on $200B in China Imports
Containers pack Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong.   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

President Trump directed the US Trade Representative to prepare new tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports Monday as the two nations moved closer to a potential trade war. The tariffs, which Trump wants set at a 10% rate, would be the latest round of punitive measures in an escalating dispute over the large trade imbalance between the two countries, the AP reports. Trump recently ordered tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese goods in retaliation for intellectual property theft. The tariffs were quickly matched by China on US exports, a move that drew the president's ire. "China apparently has no intention of changing its unfair practices related to the acquisition of American intellectual property and technology," Trump said Monday.

"Rather than altering those practices, it is now threatening United States companies, workers, and farmers who have done nothing wrong," Trump said, adding: "These tariffs will go into effect if China refuses to change its practices, and also if it insists on going forward with the new tariffs that it has recently announced." Trump said that if China responds to this fresh round of tariffs, then he will move to counter "by pursuing additional tariffs on another $200 billion of goods." It wasn't immediately clear when the new tariffs could be put in place, as the trade office has yet to identify the Chinese goods to be penalized or conduct a legal review. The first round of penalties announced by both nations is set to take effect July 6.

(More tariffs stories.)

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