China Slams U.S. ‘Blackmailing’ as Trump Weighs Higher Tariffs

[ThunderBlade + 231]

China warned the U.S. against "blackmailing and pressuring" it over trade as the Trump administration mulls trying to force officials back to the negotiating table through threats of even higher tariffs. President Donald Trump’s officials are considering more than doubling planned tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports, people familiar with the deliberations said. The U.S. had threatened an additional $200 billion with levies of 10 percent, a level the administration may raise to 25 percent in a Federal Register notice in coming days, one of the people said. At the same time, representatives of U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He are having private conversations as they look for ways to reengage in negotiations, according to people who spoke about the deliberations on condition of anonymity.

[50 shades of black + 254]

To much question is without properly answer Was it China or the US that left the negotiating table? Any more clarity on what might resolve the dispute or lead to lifting or suspension of tariffs?  Or aren't we supposed to ask?
 

[Pavel + 384]

Pressure on Beijing to return to the negotiating table? Ok. but it will also increase the tax Americans pay on goods imported from China (and probably encourage competitors to increase prices due to less competition). And likely lead to more retaliation by China.

[franco + 96]

China can respond with a variety of actions, including adjusting the value of their currency in such a way that it makes it harder for U.S. to export goods. Vicious circle: tariffs, negotiations, tariffs, tweet....etc.

[Petar + 76]

The carrot and stick tactic - I'm afraid it will not work

[pinto + 293]

Free trade must be free for all or it isn’t fair trade, it’s just theft! Fair trade isn’t just about deficits, but eliminating tariffs, subsidies and barriers. Punitive measures, like tariffs, must be nationally strategic or targeted at specific unfair practices.

[rainman + 263]

Blackmail? Sounds lika a try to install fair trade...

[John Houbion + 31]

Tariffs are the easiest and fairest way of leveling the playing field.  Ockam's Razor.

[Epic + 390]

10 hours ago, pinto said:

Free trade must be free for all or it isn’t fair trade

There is no such thing as free trade.  Currency manipulations, subsidies and VAT taxes are all ways to circumvent zero tariffs, and unless all of these are eliminated in their entirety, then there is no such thing as free trade.  Good look getting the US farmers to agree to $0 subsidies, and good luck trying to get the EU to eliminate their VAT, and good luck trying to get China to stop manipulating their currency.  None of those things will ever happen.  So there is no such thing as free trade.  But we can get fair trade.

10 hours ago, John Houbion said:

Tariffs are the easiest and fairest way of leveling the playing field

When the government is involved, the easiest way is always the best way.