US media reports that the United States plans to leverage ongoing tariff negotiations to pressure trade partners to reduce their dealings with China.
According to foreign media citing a report published by The Wall Street Journal on the 16th, informed sources say that US officials plan to demand in tariff negotiations with 70 countries that these nations prohibit the transshipment of goods through their territories to China and prevent Chinese companies from setting up operations in their countries to evade US tariffs.
The United States currently imposes a 145% tariff on imports from China, and in retaliation, China has also imposed a 125% tariff on the United States.
US President Trump has repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate with China and has stated that he has a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but he also indicated that China must take the initiative to negotiate with the United States.
White House Press Secretary Levitt reaffirmed at a press conference on the 15th that Trump is willing to reach a trade agreement with China, but “the ball is in China’s court,” and Beijing must take the initiative.