In another of his now accustomed policy veers, US President Donald Trump said he is moving ahead with sanctions on China even as officials try to resolve the brewing trade dispute. (AFP/Mandel NGAN) The White House said the planned sanctions announced in March, largely focused on China's theft of American intellectual property, were still in the works and details would be announced in the coming month. It was yet another apparent change of course for Trump, who veers from harsh threats to promises of compromise and back again on trade and other more sensitive issues. Despite announcing a truce in the trade hostilities less than 10 days ago, after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said threatened tariffs on Chinese goods were "on hold," the White House signaled it was ready to pull the trigger on a broad array of penalties. "From now on, we expect trading relationships to be fair and to be reciprocal," in a statement, which spelled out a list of long-standing US trade grievances," … [Read more...] about White House moves to finalise China trade sanctions
China
Party ties important to Vietnam, China
Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Xuan Thang delivers a speech at a seminar on Karl Marx’s ideology in the 21st Century and the future of socialism in the world in China. Speaking at the meeting, Chen, also President of the Central Party School, expressed his delight at the strong development of the Vietnam-China relations in recent years. The Party and Government of China attach great importance to the ties with Vietnam and want to work with the Party, State and people of Vietnam to further consolidate and expand the partnership between the two Parties and States, he said. He expected the two sides will continue increasing exchange of high-level visits, reinforcing political trust and fostering cooperation in multiple fields, people-to-people exchange and ties between the two Parties in the time ahead. Thang, for his part, congratulated China on the success of the 19th CPC National Congress in 2017 and voiced his belief that under the … [Read more...] about Party ties important to Vietnam, China
Trump renews China tariff threat, complicating talks
Christopher Rugaber Associated Press Published 12:09 p.m. UTC May 30, 2018 Washington – The Trump administration has renewed its threat to place 25 percent tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese goods in retaliation for what it says are China’s unfair trade practices. The White House also said Tuesday that it would place new restrictions on Chinese investment into the United States and limit U.S. exports of high-tech goods to China. The threats come just over a week after trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies had seemingly eased. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said May 20 that the trade conflict was “on hold.” Mnuchin’s comments followed a commitment by China to significantly increase its purchases of U.S. farm goods and energy products, such as natural gas. Commerce Department Secretary Wilbur Ross is scheduled to visit China on Saturday to negotiate the details of that agreement. Some trade experts said the tariff … [Read more...] about Trump renews China tariff threat, complicating talks
Mattis: US will confront China on militarization of islands
Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press Updated 4:18 pm, Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 FILE - In this April 26, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis listens to a question during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mattis says the U.S. will continue to confront China’s militarization of manmade islands in the South China Sea, arguing that Beijing hasn’t abided by its promise not to put weapons on the Spratly Islands. less FILE - In this April 26, 2018, file photo, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis listens to a question during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mattis says the U.S. will continue to confront China’s ... more Photo: Jacquelyn Martin, AP Mattis: US will confront China on militarization of islands 1 / 1 Back to Gallery … [Read more...] about Mattis: US will confront China on militarization of islands
White House moves ahead with tough trade measures on China
By Ana Swanson Published 3:22 pm, Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Photo: AFP / Getty Images Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 MG cars produced in China await loading onto a ship to the U.S. The planned tariffs are expected to hit automakers hard. MG cars produced in China await loading onto a ship to the U.S. The planned tariffs are expected to hit automakers hard. Photo: AFP / Getty Images White House moves ahead with tough trade measures on China 1 / 1 Back to Gallery WASHINGTON — The Trump administration injected a fresh layer of uncertainty into its trade dispute with China on Tuesday, saying that it would impose tariffs and other punitive measures on Beijing after all, intensifying pressure on both countries as trade talks continue and as a summit between the United States and North Korea looms. Barely a … [Read more...] about White House moves ahead with tough trade measures on China