Synopsis
On March 6, the White House stated that President Trump is taking a strong stance against China through tariff increases. Press Secretary Leavitt emphasized the administration's readiness to defend against any threats from Beijing, reiterating previous tariffs and the importance of the Panama Canal.Key Takeaways
- The US has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 20%.
- Trump has historically implemented billions in tariffs on China.
- China threatens to retaliate against US tariffs.
- Security in the Panama Canal is a priority for the US.
- The US is prepared for any potential conflict.
Washington, March 6 (NationPress) The White House has asserted that US President Donald Trump has been extremely firm on China regarding the implementation of tariffs imposed on the nation.
The comments made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday followed Trump’s decision to raise the tariff on all imports from China to 20 percent, up from 10 percent.
Leavitt echoed the sentiments of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stated that the United States will always be ready to defend itself, in response to China's declaration that it is prepared to engage in any type of warfare, whether it be tariff-related or trade-oriented.
“He (Hegseth) noted that America will always be ready to defend itself, especially under the guidance of this President in the Oval Office. This holds true, particularly regarding tariffs,” the White House Press Secretary remarked.
“The President has taken a strong stance against China, not only with the new 20 percent tariffs but also with the reciprocal tariffs set to take effect on April 2. Moreover, if we look back at his first term, he enacted billions of dollars' worth of tariffs on China. It’s significant that the previous administration chose not to reverse those tariffs, understanding their value in deterring China while simultaneously generating revenue for the United States,” she elaborated.
Earlier, the New York Post reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth indicated that the US is ready for potential conflict with China following alarming threats from Beijing in reaction to President Trump's stringent new tariffs.
“To deter conflict with the Chinese or any other nation, we must maintain strength,” he stated, as cited by the New York Post.
In response to the US tariffs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian asserted, “If conflict is what the US seeks, be it a tariff war, a trade war, or any other form of conflict, we are prepared to fight until the end.”
According to the New York Post, China quickly retaliated against the new tariffs by implementing its own increases of 10 percent to 15 percent on a range of American agricultural and food imports.
Addressing additional issues related to China, Leavitt highlighted the significance of the Panama Canal, stating, “The President was very clear several weeks ago about the necessity to ensure that China does not dominate the Panama Canal. This is a crucial location for the United States.”
Leavitt further emphasized, “The President will continue to guarantee that the Chinese government, particularly the CCP, cannot infiltrate the Western Hemisphere and certainly not the Panama Canal, which is vital for our nation.”
