May 31, 2018 — The Trump Administration on May 29, nine days after having said that the China trade war was “on hold,” flipped the switch back to “on”. As of now, the White House again plans to move forward by June 15 with plans for 25% tariffs on $50 billion of imports from China. But the areas where Trump is pushing China the hardest are the ones that make the least sense.
April 20, 2018 — President Trump enacted steel and aluminum tariffs in March, citing national security. China is the intended target, as most other major suppliers were eventually exempted. On April 2, China retaliated by imposing tariffs on 128 American products (representing about $3 billion of trade), ranging from 15% on fruits to 25% on pork. Trump on April 3 announced 25% tariffs on another 1300 Chinese products representing some $50 billion of trade, citing forced transfer of US technology and IPR. China on April 4 responded with plans for retaliatory 25% tariffs on 106 US exports — including soybeans, autos, and airplanes — to go into effect when the US tariffs do. On April 5, the White House announced it was considering $100 billion of additional tariffs on China.
March 26, 2018 — Caijing Magazine asked me the following questions about US steel tariffs on 3/14.
Answer: I see trade wars lurking around the corner. They are not yet here for sure. But recent developments are very worrying.
Of course it will not be easy for the US to win a trade war. This is one of the most foolish things Trump has said