March 3, 2017

"Throughout the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump blasted China for its protectionist trade policies, currency manipulation and a number of other accusations. Indeed, these accusations were not limited to Trump as China bashing is simply standard fare for anyone seeking elected office and on the campaign trail. Much of Trump’s campaign was, however, met with derision. As the election process unfolded, the derision soon turned to snickers. As the election continued, the snickers turned downright somber while Trump sailed past his Republican opponents Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and others who had been deemed more likely to become the GOP nominee.

Among the intelligentsia, the mood has turned to alarm as now President Trump has set out to do exactly as he promised during his 'America First' campaign. To show his sincerity to the campaign promise of bringing jobs back to the United States, he kicked off his first day in the Oval Office by issuing an Executive Order that cancelled American participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The TPP was President Obama's signature trade deal. It created a free-trade zone with eleven other nations for approximately 40 percent of the world's economy. Trump also threatened to impose a 45 percent tariff on Chinese goods if China does not 'behave' accordingly."

Read more:

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-america-cant-afford-get-trade-war-china-19676 

NISCSS does not necessarily share in or endorse the opinions of off-site commentators.