Democratic Sen. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had some rare praise for President Donald Trump on Sunday.
After Trump announced that he was increasing tariffs on China, Schumer urged the president to “hang tough” against one of America’s greatest geopolitical adversaries. (RELATED: Former CIA Officer Pleads Guilty To Spying For China)
Hang tough on China, President @realDonaldTrump. Don’t back down.
Strength is the only way to win with China. https://t.co/pZqeR346ov
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 5, 2019
“Hang tough on China, President [Trump],” Schumer tweeted. “Don’t back down. Strength is the only way to win with China.”
Trump announced Sunday that his administration would be increasing tariffs Chinese goods worth hundreds of billions, crediting past tariffs for the recent U.S. economic boom.
“For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results,” Trump tweeted. “The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%.”
“The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate, ” the president continued. “No!”
For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019
….of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 5, 2019
Trump has railed against China’s trade practices and has pledged to hold the Communist country accountable for its past promises. Trump slapped a 25% tariff rate on Chinese exports of machinery last July including electronics.
Trump announced in February that he was delaying additional tariffs aimed at China while the two sides negotiated a trade deal, claiming at the time that they were making “substantial progress” in their negotiations.
“I am pleased to report that the U.S. has made substantial progress in our trade talks with China on important structural issues including intellectual property protection, technology transfer, agriculture, services, currency, and many other issues,” Trump said at the time.