Former US President Donald Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs exceeding 60% on Chinese goods if he wins the November election. In a Fox News interview, Trump accused China of unfair trading practices and intellectual property theft, stating, 'They've really taken advantage of our country.'
Trump, currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination, previously triggered a trade war with China during his presidency, imposing tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese goods starting in 2018. Beijing retaliated with tariffs on US imports such as soybeans and poultry. His latest proposal goes beyond his earlier suggestion of a universal 10% tariff on all US imports.
The Biden administration has largely maintained Trump-era tariffs despite criticism that they raise prices and reduce competitiveness. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned last month that Trump's tariff plan would increase costs for American businesses and consumers.
While Trump faces multiple criminal charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election—charges he denies—his tariff stance aligns with growing bipartisan support in Congress for curbing US-China economic ties. A recent House committee report recommended higher tariffs on Chinese imports and restrictions on Chinese investments in the US.
