Donald Trump. Credit Line: Evan Vucci / AP / Profimedia
US President Donald Trump is “optimistic” about the conclusion of a commercial agreement with China, the White House said on Friday, in the context in which the two largest economies in the world continue the dispute on customs tariffs, reports AFP and BBC.
“The president said very clearly that he is open to an agreement with China,” said the white house spokesman, Karoline Leavitt. “It's optimistic,” she added.
Asked about the previous statements of Beijing, according to which China will not respond to new US tariffs, Karoline Leavitt said that the American tax on Chinese goods remains at 145%, at the same level as the previous day, added that Trump has clearly transmitted: “When the United States are hit, he will hit even more.”
Regarding the possible plans regarding the money obtained by the federal government from the taxes imposed on imports, Karoline Leavitt said that the purpose of Trump's “commercial and tariff agenda” is to support American manufacturing industries, reduce the cost of life and maintain the essential supply chains in the USA
“We cannot depend on countries like China if we want this country to be strong and prosper,” she added.
The spokesman was also asked about the information that there would be progress on a possible commercial agreement with at least one other country. She refused to provide details, but said that “significant steps were taken” and that “there are already 15 offers on the table”.
Leavitt mentioned that over 75 states have contacted the US administration to discuss bilateral trade agreements. “The phone rings continuously,” she said. Among the examples offered indicated Israel and Japan.
Asked why US allies should cooperate to isolate China from a commercial point of view, despite their tariffs and on them, Leavitt replied that “they need the United States. They need our markets. They need our consumers. Some countries need the US to survive.”
She added that Trump aims to change the “status quo” of international trade, ignored in her opinion by previous administrations. “The confrontation with China on the topic of trade and tariffs is a topic discussed by decades by Democrats and Republicans – President Trump is finally acting,” said Leavitt.
China responds with raising rates
Beijing increased its customs fees for US imports to 125%on Friday, responding to US President Donald Trump to increase China import taxes to 145%.
Moreover, Beijing has suggested at the same time that it will not respond to any other tax imposed by the US, because “at the current level of tariffs, there is no market acceptance for American goods exported to China.”
“If the US continues to impose rates for Chinese goods exported to the US, China will ignore them,” Beijing said, letting it be understood that other countermeasures will follow.
The increased increase in Beijing comes after the White House has maintained the pressure on the second economy of the world, for which it maintained additional tax increase, while suspended similar measures for dozens of other trading partners.
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