Trump’s Chinese trade war
DONALD Trump is embroiled in a new trade row with China just days after a diplomatic spat.
The US President-elect posted tweets criticising Chinese leaders for trying to hurt the American economy.
In his latest outburst, Mr Trump wrote on Twitter: “Did China ask us if it was OK to devalue their currency (making it hard for our companies to compete), heavily tax our products going into their country (the US doesn’t tax them) or to build a massive military complex in the middle of the South China Sea? I don’t think so!”
The comments referred to previous US criticism of China for devaluing its currency, the renminbi, saying it unfairly favours Chinese exporters.
Mr Trump also criticised efforts to reclaim land around islands and reefs which are claimed by a number of countries in the South China Sea. The tweet comes just days after Chinese anger at the 70-year-old billionaire for breaking decades of protocol by talking to the president of Taiwan.
The US has not formally recognised Taiwan as an independent state since the US re-established diplomatic ties with China nearly 40 years ago. But Mr Trump accepted a “congratulatory” call from Taiwanese leader, Tsai Ing-Wen, last Friday.
The unusual move saw China lodge an official complaint with the US. Yesterday, the Chinese foreign ministry appeared to play down Mr Trump’s new outburst.
A spokesman said both sides “must exert efforts based on the important principles of relations between the two countries”.
But critics have raised concerns over Mr Trump’s remarks. Former Labour leader Ed Miliband posted: “Trump railing against China on Twitter… is not funny, but deeply worrying for the world.”
Last night White House spokesman Josh Earnest said US officials reiterated to Beijing “our country’s continued commitment to the existing policy”.