Browsing: US tariffs Live

Xi Jinping’s Diplomatic Mission: Chinese President Xi Jinping has commenced a pivotal week of diplomacy in Southeast Asia, beginning his visit in Vietnam. This trip serves to reinforce China’s image as a responsible global player in contrast to the United States’ recent trade policies under President Donald Trump, particularly as the US maintains high tariffs on Chinese goods.

Donald Trump has backed down on his tariffs (higher than the baseline 10%) on countries that did not retaliate against the levies. The US president announced via social media that there would be a 90-day pause on those tariffs and they would instead be dropped to the blanket 10% rate. But since China did retaliate, Trump announced that the tariffs on China would be hiked to 125%.

Much of the global media sees the announcement of Trump backing down from the trade war he started, likely amid US government bond sell-offs.

The US-China trade war is in full flow as the rest of the world holds its breath, wondering, hoping and perhaps even praying that Trump sees some sense.

There are whispers in the corridors of Congress between Republicans and Democrats as to how they can either curb the president’s war or usurp him. There is far too much at stake for Congress not to intervene.