Trump’s move to escalate trade war with China got full support from Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer. Schumer urged Trump to “hang tough on China” in a tweet” and “don’t back down”. He added “strength is the only way to win with China”.
White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow tried to tone down the threat and said trump is merely “issuing a warning here”. He told Fox News that ” we bent over backwards earlier, we suspended the 25 percent tariff to 10 and then we’ve left it there. That may not be forever if the talks don’t work out”
However, an informal trade adviser to Trump, Michael Pillsbury, clearly disagreed with Kudlow. He said “I take the president’s tweet at face value. I was disappointed that Larry Kudlow downgraded it to a mere warning, which may tend to undermine American credibility as the Chinese delegation prepares its position”.
It’s unsure for now whether Trump is really intending to drop the negotiations abruptly. Or, he’s just trying to push China for last minute concessions on some key issues. But the act could firstly undermine credibility of the US in negotiations with other countries. And, it could also undermine Trump’s own credibility as he’s told the public numerous times that a deal was close.
