Retaliation is on: https://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-china-tariffs-trade-war-trump-20190510-story.html China to raise tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation as trade talks continue Minutes after the United States raised tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese exports, Chinese authorities announced that China would take retaliate. “China deeply regrets that it will have to take necessary countermeasures,” read a statement released by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. No specifics were given on what those measures would be. China currently has tariffs in place on $110 billion of American goods. The U.S. increase brings tariffs on Chinese goods — including telecommunications equipment, computer parts, furniture and car parts — from the existing 10% to 25%. Chinese officials are still in the United States, and negotiations will continue on Friday.
"No specifics were given on what those measures would be." Yeah, not surprised. They don't have a whole lot they can hold over our heads anymore.
It's crazy. The markets did a "knee-jerk flinch" on every "trade" comment... favorable or not... for months. Then, when the tariffs get implemented... the market goes "meh". (China's CSI 300 even popped >3.6% last night.) Go figure.
I was actually surprised they didn't have a list ready to go like last time. The one week notice Trump gave them may not have been enough to put something together that hits us where it hurts maybe?
China is making a big mistake having their way with the US and even European Union for so long. It gets more costly for them the longer this drags on. They will end up being the big loser in this tariff war! https://www.bloomberg.com/news/arti...g-for-most-of-trump-s-trade-war-research-says
If the US is resigned to buying products elsewhere and getting higher prices, there isn't a whole lot China can do. Even the threat on treasury bills is just an empty threat. The Fed wants more inflation. Maybe this is how they get it.
US manufacturing and US suppliers has already shifted to other Asian countries. It is not really that much more. I was looking for a frying pan to buy one day. The one in China cost $9.99, another made in Thailand $19.99, one made in US $29.99. Next, I examined each one. The cheapest China import was poorly made, probably, figured I would need to replace it in 3 months, maybe even faster than that! The one made by Thailand looks more sturdier and probably, will last 6 months. The best one was the one made in the US, so I bought that one. Did it cost more? Sure. However, I paid for quality as well! Why would I pay for cheap imports that I would have to replace over and over again? You get what you pay for. With tariffs on Chinese goods, other similar goods from Asian countries will be cheaper.