Donald Trump has claimed China “badly wants a deal”, despite Beijing threatening to fight the president’s steep tariffs imposed on its imports “to the end”.
China reacted with fury to the president’s “Liberation Day” measures last week when the nation was slapped with a 34% tariff – hitting Washington with reciprocal measures. Trump did not take kindly to the reaction and this week threatened to slap China with new 50 per cent tariffs unless Beijing halts its retaliatory measures set to hit US exports. His deadline was last night ignored and so he doubled down, hitting China with massive 104 per cent tariffs.
However, in a post on his own Truth Social account, Trump went on to claim China “very badly” wants a deal in a post about South Korea. The president claimed: “I just had a great call with the Acting President of South Korea.
We talked about their tremendous and unsustainable surplus, tariffs, shipbuilding, large scale purchase of US LNG, their joint venture in an Alaska Pipeline, and payment for the big time military protection we provide to South Korea.
“They began these military payments during my first term, Billions of Dollars, but Sleepy Joe Biden, for reasons unknown, terminated the deal. That was a shocker to all! In any event, we have the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries.
“Their top team is on a plane heading to the US, and things are looking good. We are likewise dealing with many other countries, all of whom want to make a deal with the United States.
“Like with South Korea, we are bringing up other subjects that are not covered by trade and tariffs, and getting them negotiated also. “ONE STOP SHOPPING” is a beautiful and efficient process!!!
“China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started. We are waiting for their call. It will happen! GOD BLESS THE USA.”
It comes as the Commerce Ministry in China said the US demand of “so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’” on China is “completely groundless and is a typical unilateral bullying practice.”
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It added: “The countermeasures China has taken are aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, security and development interests, and maintaining the normal international trade order.
“They are completely legitimate. The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US. China will never accept this. If the US insists on its own way, China will fight to the end.”
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