President Donald Trump accused China of attempting to interfere in U.S. elections by targeting certain U.S. products for retaliatory tariffs.
China has openly stated that they are actively trying to impact and change our election by attacking our farmers, ranchers and industrial workers because of their loyalty to me. What China does not understand is that these people are great patriots and fully understand that…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2018
…..China has been taking advantage of the United States on Trade for many years. They also know that I am the one that knows how to stop it. There will be great and fast economic retaliation against China if our farmers, ranchers and/or industrial workers are targeted!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 18, 2018
Trump’s tweet comes just hours after leveling tariffs on China for failure to comply with U.S. demands of greater access for American companies and reducing intellectual property theft. The tariffs will target 200 billion dollars of Chinese goods at 10 percent until the end of the year after which they will rise to 25 percent.
“If China takes retaliatory action against our farmers or other industries, we will immediately pursue phase three, which is tariffs on approximately $267 billion of additional imports,” Trump declared in a Monday evening statement.
Trump leveled the tariffs under his authority as commander-in-chief citing national security, saying, “After a thorough study, the USTR concluded that China is engaged in numerous unfair policies and practices relating to United States technology and intellectual property — such as forcing United States companies to transfer technology to Chinese counterparts. These practices plainly constitute a grave threat to the long-term health and prosperity of the United States economy.”
Chinese officials have previously refused to back down on any tariffs leveled by the United States and instead have vowed to match them dollar-for-dollar. Officials have also indicated they will target U.S. agricultural goods in states politically favorable to Trump in order to roil the U.S. political system.