Former President Donald Trump recently said he would consider imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, indicating they could exceed 60% as he seeks to boost onshoring efforts made during his first term in the White House
During an interview with Fox News, the former president said, “We have to do it. I mean, look, the stock market almost crashed when it was announced that I won the Iowa primary in a record. And then I won New Hampshire, the stock market went down like crazy.”
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo then asked Trump to comment on a report suggesting he would impose 60% tariffs on Chinese goods if elected president in 2024.
“No, I would say maybe it’s going to be more than that,” Trump replied.
Trump: We must use tariffs to fix our trade with China and protect our industry
Maria: WSJ says you are considering 60% tariffs
Trump: No. It might be much higher than that
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 4, 2024
During his presidency, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on $50 billion of Chinese goods, prompting the Chinese government to institute tariffs against America until both nations reached a compromise in 2020. The Biden administration has kept the Trump-era tariffs against China in place.
During the interview, Trump dismissed claims that he would start another trade war with China.
“It’s not a trade war. I did great with China with everything,” the former president said. “I want China to do great, I do. And I like President Xi a lot. He was a very good friend of mine during my term.”
Trump also said he believed China would try to interfere in the 2024 presidential election. He emphasized the need for U.S. elections to be done in one day using paper ballots.
“I think they will, and they won’t be interfering on my behalf. We should go same-day voting, paper ballots, voter ID and no mail-in ballots,” he said.
https://youtu.be/IyWVEmnAaMA?si=perIqIjBZyaGA2nG
Chinese President Xi Jinping previously met with President Joe Biden, saying that China has no plans to interfere in the forthcoming election. Yet, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray has warned that China is preparing to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm” to America.
Trump did not indicate whether he would involve the U.S. in a potential conflict between China and Taiwan, arguing that doing so could “jeopardize my negotiating ability with China.”
For years, China has viewed Taiwan as being a part of its territory, much like Russia views Ukraine. The Chinese Communist Party has vowed to “reunify” the island with the country.
