Trump warns China on tariffs
APPLE ON THE LINE? Prez puts UK on notice on postBrexit trade, indicates iPhones from China could face duties
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump indicated he may raise tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports to 25% from 10% now, and repeated his threat to slap tariffs on all remaining imports from China, including iPhones made in the country.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal four days ahead of his high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Argentina at the G20 summit, Trump said it was “highly unlikely” he would accept China’s request to hold off on the increase, which is due to take effect on January 1. “The only deal would be China has to open up their country to competition from the US,” Trump told the Journal.
“If we don’t make a deal, then I’m going to put the $267 billion additional on.”
At a news briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang reiterated China’s hope that both sides could work towards a “positive outcome” from the meeting between the two leaders, citing a “consensus” they reached during a November 1 telephone call.
Trump said the next round of tariffs could also be placed on laptops and Apple Inc’s iPhones imported from China, which are part of that $267 billion list of goods not yet hit by tariffs.
Cell phones and computers, among China’s biggest exports to the US, have been spared as the administration has sought to minimise the impact on US consumers.
“Maybe. Maybe. Depends on what the rate is,” Trump said, referring to the possibility of tariffs on mobile phones and laptops, according to the Journal. “I mean, I can make it 10%, and people could stand that very easily.”
In separate remarks at the White House on Monday, Trump said that the deal taking Britain out of the European Union may inadvertently hamper US-UK trade. “Sounds like a great deal for the EU...we have to take a look at seriously whether or not the UK is allowed to trade,” he said.
Britain responded to the warning with a firm rebuttal on Tuesday, stressing that a trade deal was still possible and that work towards it was making progress.