US President Donald Trump has said that he will impose new tariffs on China if it continues to supply weapons to Iran.
Accordingly, he has warned that a massive 50% import tax will be imposed on all goods imported from China to the US, effective immediately.
“We must immediately stop arming those who oppose the United States, and any country that does so must be prepared to face severe economic consequences,” the US president said.
The White House emphasizes that the concessions given to rivals during previous administrations have threatened US security, and that countries such as China and Russia are endangering global shipping routes by supplying missiles and defense systems to Iran. China is expected to show some economic retreat in the face of the 50% surcharge proposed by the US.
Political commentators see President Trump’s move as a further confirmation of his ‘America First’ foreign policy. The US president made the threatening statement at a time when there is a two-week ceasefire with Iran, and China has yet to respond.
According to political sources, there is less than a 30% chance that President Trump’s visit to China will change by the end of next month. This implies that the Beijing regime is in need of some diplomatic agreement in the face of this pressure exerted by the US.