WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced that he would implement higher tariffs on China if the country decided to “go into Taiwan,” according to the Wall Street Journal. #TrumpTariffsOnChina
“I would say: If you go into Taiwan, I’m sorry to do this, I’m going to tax you, at 150% to 200%,” the former U.S. president was quoted as saying in an interview with the WSJ published on Friday evening.
When asked if he would consider using military force against a Chinese blockade on Taiwan, Trump replied it wouldn’t be necessary. He believes that Chinese President Xi Jinping respects him.
“I had a very strong relationship with him,” Trump said. “I wouldn’t have to (use military force), because he respects me and he knows I’m f— crazy,” he said in the interview.
China asserts that Taiwan, a democratically governed region, is part of its territory. The country has never ruled out using force to gain control. Taiwan firmly rejects China’s claims of sovereignty.
As he campaigns for the closely contested November 5 election against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump proposed blanket tariffs. He suggested tariffs ranging from 10% to 20% on most imports and over 60% on Chinese goods. He argues that these measures would enhance U.S. manufacturing.
During his presidency from early 2017 to early 2021, Trump took a tough stance on China. This approach resulted in tariffs that sparked a trade war, significantly affecting global markets. In his interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump addressed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He claimed that Putin would not have invaded if he were still president. #TrumpTariffsOnChina
“I said to Putin, ‘Vladimir, we have a great relationship. … Vladimir, if you go after Ukraine, I am going to hit you so hard, you’re not even going to believe it. I’m going to hit you right in the middle of fricking Moscow,'” Trump was quoted as saying when talking about a past interaction with Putin.
The Impact of Trump Tariffs on U.S.-China Relations and Global Trade
Moreover, Trump’s past presidency saw increased tensions between the U.S. and China due to similar tariffs. He believes that a strong approach would deter Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. Ultimately, Trump tariffs on China could reshape international trade dynamics.
