US President Donald Trump's imposition of an additional 10% tariff on Chinese products is aimed at facilitating talks between Washington and Beijing. This was stated by US Vice President James David Vance in an interview with Fox News.
„On the one hand, the tariffs are a punishment for China for exploiting the US economy and sending drugs into our country. „The tariffs are partly designed to allow our president to negotiate with the Chinese Communist Party to bring more balance to our relations“, he said.
In response to the US decision to impose the tariffs, China's Foreign Ministry urged Washington to objectively and rationally solve its „own fentanyl problem“ instead of threatening other countries with arbitrary tariff increases. China's Foreign Ministry advised the United States to "correct mistakes, maintain the hard-won progress in drug control cooperation, and promote the sustainable, healthy development of China-US relations."
US President Donald Trump earlier signed an order to impose tariffs on goods from Canada, China and Mexico. A 25% tariff (10% for Canadian energy) will apply to imports from Mexico and Canada. An additional 10% tariff will be imposed on goods from China. The measures will take effect on February 4. Canada, China and Mexico account for one-third of all goods and services imported into the United States.