Politico: Trump says he will proceed with Chinese tariff escalation
President Donald Trump said he expects to move forward with plans to escalate tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports as of Jan. 1, even as he readies to meet with the nation’s leader at the end of the week.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump said it was “highly unlikely” that he would accept a request by China to stand down from his plans to ratchet up tariffs on the $200 billion list from 10 percent to 25 percent. The tariff increase is expected to go into effect on Jan. 1. The White House has already put a 25 percent tariff on a separate list of Chinese imports valued at more than $50 billion.
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Update #1: Trump eyes more China tariffs, pushing total upwards of $500bn (Al Jazeera)
Update #2: Larry Kudlow: White House is having ‘a lot of communication with the Chinese government at all levels’ ahead of critical Trump-Xi meeting at G-20 (CNBC)
WNU Editor: President Trump is issuing this threat to unnerve the Chinese (and from what I am hearing, it is working). And as for this G20 summit between Chinese President Xi and President Trump, President Xi has far more "riding on it" than President Trump .... Chinese President Xi faces potential 'humiliation' in shaky G20 trade talks with Trump (Business Insider).
