TRADE DEADLINE LOOMS
Trump’s remark came as he touted his administration’s success in “moving Marcos away from China”, even as he acknowledged it was fine for countries to maintain relations with Beijing.
“The country was maybe tilting toward China for a period of time, but we un-tilted it very, very quickly,” Trump said. “I don’t mind if he gets along with China, because we’re getting along with China very well.”
The US president has eased rhetoric in recent weeks and paused new rounds of tariffs, in a bid to stabilise the fraught US-China relationship. But his administration continues to press Beijing over longstanding concerns including overcapacity in manufacturing, regional security, and fentanyl-related exports.
Trump has proposed a 10 per cent universal base tariff on all imports and imposed higher rates on specific countries, including a 55 per cent tariff on goods from China.
He has set an Aug 12 deadline for the US and China to reach a lasting tariff agreement.
POINTS OF FRICTION
In addition to trade, US-China relations remain strained over Beijing’s support for Russia, imposition of exit bans on some American residents, and growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
Other areas of tension include illicit opioid trade and China’s pressure on Taiwan.
Despite these issues, Trump has indicated a desire to maintain dialogue with Xi and pursue pragmatic engagement.
Washington views Beijing as its main global strategic rival. Trump’s previous tit-for-tat tariff war with China upended global trade and supply chains, though recent efforts have aimed to reduce friction.
