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Trump Ups Ante on China, Threatens Duties on Nearly All its Imports (reuters.com)
U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Friday that he was ready to slap tariffs on virtually all Chinese imports into the United States, threatening duties on another $267 billion in Chinese goods on top of $200 billion in imports now primed for levies in coming days. Reuters: The moves would sharply escalate Trump's trade war with Beijing over his demands for major changes in economic, trade and technology policy. China has threatened retaliation, which could include action against U.S. companies operating there. Hours after a public comment period closed on his $200 billion China tariff list, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he was "being strong on China because I have to be."
"The $200 billion we are talking about could take place very soon depending on what happens with them. To a certain extent its going to be up to China," Trump said. "And I hate to say this, but behind that is another $267 billion ready to go on short notice if I want. That totally changes the equation." [...] The $200 billion list, which includes some consumer products such as cameras and recording devices, luggage, handbags, tires and vacuum cleaners, would be subject to tariffs of 10 percent to 25 percent. Cell phones, the biggest U.S. import from China, have so far been spared, but would be engulfed if Trump activates the $267 billion tariff list. Further reading: Apple says Trump's China tariffs are going to hurt the company.
"The $200 billion we are talking about could take place very soon depending on what happens with them. To a certain extent its going to be up to China," Trump said. "And I hate to say this, but behind that is another $267 billion ready to go on short notice if I want. That totally changes the equation." [...] The $200 billion list, which includes some consumer products such as cameras and recording devices, luggage, handbags, tires and vacuum cleaners, would be subject to tariffs of 10 percent to 25 percent. Cell phones, the biggest U.S. import from China, have so far been spared, but would be engulfed if Trump activates the $267 billion tariff list. Further reading: Apple says Trump's China tariffs are going to hurt the company.
If, and I mean if this happens, its going to hurt and hurt bad. Sorry to say that but if this ever happens (which I don't think will), it will take 10 years or longer before things settle. The chicken will come to roost after decades of cheap prices for everything we use today. Basically China was our drug dealer; we are hooked and now it may be time to face rehab which isn't going to be fun and probably put more in the poor house before all said and done.
Did you ever stop to think that the reason your wages haven't kept pace with inflation is... wait for it... cheap foreign goods? Cheap foreign goods have decimated US manufacturing and annihilated millions of jobs. These people all compete for the remaining jobs. Companies have very little incentive to raise wages ... in fact, some people consider themselves lucky to have a job at all. But hey, at least when you need a new toaster it's pretty cheap.