Originally I'm from New Zealand, its a small country around 4 million, they have a FREE trade agreement with China. Since signing, trade has quadrupled with China! Yet NZ still runs a trade surplus with China, we sell them 15 billion they sell us 12 billion.. with a free trade deal in place.
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https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/fr...ade-agreement/
According to the American way we should be a country built in plastic.. but its not, .. trade surplus.
To make that happen as few things were required, first the Government and leader did a huge push with the slogan " Buy New Zealand Made", they promote a sense of pride in using locally made products. And secondly they try and make products that China actually wants, and what they pay top dollar for, environmentally friendly and natural products.
If the best the almighty America can come up with is.. Soybeans and only can stop the public from buying Chinese products is by raising prices, then the problem is not the Chinese, or your trade deals... Its Americans!.
To me, Trump was actually the guy to fix that, if every time he opened his mouth he said.. " Buy American, Hire American " and then focused attention on industry to make products China wants, and can't produce themselves. but he doesn't, its usually " But Hillary" or " But Obama " or "No Collusion"
Chinese like one thing.. money, wages in China have risen over 4000% in the past 10 years. If you want manual intensive products made on cheap labour, you don't go to China anymore but countries like Sri Lanka or India. Any trade imbalance with China will naturally diminish, if the public " Buy American, Hire American" and the now famous " We're making Coal great again "
A tariff is just a hidden tax that you the consumer pays, Trump didn't lower your taxes, he INCREASED them on the poor and middle class to give the rich a break, and to enable that... he borrows more money from CHINA, while investing in businesses that produce products.. that China has or can make themselves.
Its not really a success plan is it ;) and in reality is a total slap in the face for the American public