In a significant escalation of trade tensions, President Donald Trump has warned China of a potential 155% tariff imposition unless a fair trade deal is finalized. This threat comes as Trump prepares to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit later this month. The President articulated his position on trade imbalances during a press conference following a bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Trump highlighted the substantial revenue China is currently generating through existing tariffs. ‘They’re paying 55 percent, that’s a lot of money… China’s paying 55 percent and a potential 155 percent come November 1 unless we make a deal,’ he stated. Trump emphasized a new era of ‘America First’ trade policy, asserting that the US will no longer tolerate unfair trade practices. He expressed optimism about achieving a mutually beneficial agreement with President Xi, anticipating a ‘very exciting’ development. The global economic implications of this trade standoff are considerable, making the upcoming summit a focal point for international commerce. Official confirmation from Beijing regarding President Xi’s participation in the APEC summit is still pending. Trump’s prior statements have included intentions to levy 100% tariffs on Chinese imports and restrict the export of critical software, augmenting the existing tariff structure. He stressed that China’s current tariff payments are immense and that any reduction in tariffs would require significant concessions from their side, ensuring that the trade relationship is balanced and equitable.
