Customs duties: "We'll be nice", uncompromising Trump yields to China

On Tuesday, the White House occupant announced a "substantial" reduction in tariffs imposed on China. This announcement simultaneously caused relief in global markets.

Donald Trump has yielded to the Chinese. Having already shown himself to be "flexible" (in his own words) with the Europeans on April 9 by putting his trade war on hold, he has once again given way, this time with China. The tariffs, which he admitted to be "very high", "will in no way remain close to that figure", the American president affirmed, while emphasising that "we will not go back to zero". Today, Trump seems to be adopting a new, softer stance. "We're going to be very nice, they're going to be very nice and we will see what happens," he added.

Yes, but...

This lull might be short-lived as the US president nonetheless warned: "In the end, they will have to reach an agreement, because without it, they will no longer be able to trade with the United States. We will set the terms of the agreement and it will be a fair agreement."

(MH with Manon Pierre - Source : L’Indépendant - Illustration : ©Unsplash)