Donald Trump’s surprise plan to pause tariffs on most countries – except for China – was a calculated measure by the President who “goaded” them “into a bad position”, the US Secretary of the Treasury has claimed.
Mr Trump announced on Wednesday the US will increase tariffs on China to a whopping 125 per cent.
He made the announcements at the same time as he kicked off a 90 day pause to the higher tariffs for the rest of the world.
Tariffs on 104 per came into focus against China on Wednesday at midnight.
Mr Trump said the upping of import taxes on Beijing was because it has retaliated by matching the US’ tariffs against it.
“Based on the lack of respect that China has shown to the World’s Markets, I am hereby raising the Tariff charged to China by the United States of America to 125%, effective immediately,” he wrote.
“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realise that the days of ripping off the U.S.A., and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable.”
