New York [US], April 24: U.S. President Donald Trump and White House officials are constantly making conflicting statements regarding tariffs on China.
Speaking at the White House on April 23, President Trump said that what happens to tariffs on China is now "up to them." Trump added that high tariffs mean China is not doing anything with the U.S., but he stressed that he will not lower tariffs on Chinese products until the two sides negotiate a new trade deal.
Earlier, Reuters quoted a source as saying that the Trump administration is considering reducing tariffs on Chinese goods but will not do so unilaterally. The Wall Street Journal also reported that the White House is considering reducing tariffs from 145% to 50-65% to reduce tensions.On April 22, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the U.S.-China trade impasse cannot last and that he expects a cooling down in the near future. On the same day, Trump said the 145 percent tariff was only a temporary negotiating tactic.
However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on April 23 that President Trump will not reduce tariffs on Chinese goods by 145% until the two sides negotiate a new trade agreement. "Let me clarify. There will be no unilateral tariff cuts on China," Leavitt told Fox News, echoing Trump's words.
Also on April 23, Mr. Trump suggested that the tariffs would help the United States increase revenue and be used to contribute to the policy of reducing taxes on domestic businesses.
"We're going to make a lot of money. And that money will be used to reduce (domestic) taxes. We will have very big tax cuts," the leader said.
According to CNBC, dozens of states in the US sued President Trump and his administration on April 23, asking the court to declare the new tax policy on foreign imports illegal.
"The president doesn't have the power to raise taxes at will, but that's exactly what President Trump is doing with these taxes," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement about the lawsuit.
The lawsuit was filed with the U.S. Court of International Trade. In addition to New York, other states on the plaintiffs' list include Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
