I struggle to understand why some people paint President Trump as the villain in this tariff war. Let’s not forget that China has long banned or restricted many U.S. products and services. Trump’s tariffs are a response to China’s unfair trade practices, which have persisted for over a decade. Beyond tariffs, China blocks major U.S. companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google from operating in its market. In my view, China hasn’t been playing fair. They restrict foreign goods and services in their country while expecting open access for their own products abroad. That’s hardly equitable. I’m surprised the U.S. didn’t act sooner. If China wants tariff-free trade, they should remove their own tariffs and restrictions on U.S. products and services. If they refuse, they have no right to complain about U.S. retaliation.
The US population buys Chinese products because they are cheap. Most Chinese will prefer to buy locally produced goods because it is far cheaper than imported ones from the US. Tariff is not the best economic tool because it brings suffering to the masses. Donald Trump would have sought means to enhance the industrial sector of the US. These industries would gradually replace China in the US market. Tariffs could be put in place only if you have a reliable alternative supplier.