President acted after China wouldn’t commit to farm purchases at Shanghai talks
By Vivian Salama and Josh Zumbrun
WASHINGTON—President Trump overruled advisers to ramp up tariffs on China after a heated exchange in which he insisted levies were the best way to make Beijing comply with U.S. demands, according to people familiar with the matter.
Barring a break in the impasse, the U.S. is now poised to impose 10% tariffs on roughly $300 billion in Chinese imports that aren’t currently taxed starting Sept. 1. Battle lines are hardening in Beijing as well — raising prospects that a deal may be put off until after the U.S. presidential election next year.
Trump, who has speculated the Chinese may be waiting to negotiate with a possible Democratic successor, says a strong U.S. economy gives Washington the upper hand if the dispute drags on. But advisers argued that a new round of tariffs could hurt the U.S. economy and further strain relations with China.
Read more at https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-trump-ordered-new-chinese-tariffs-over-objections-of-advisers-11564912949
