The White House reiterated US President Donald Trump’s tough stance on China after he doubled tariffs on all Chinese imports to 20 percent, up from the previous 10 percent. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted the President’s continued aggressive policies toward China during a briefing on Wednesday.
“The President has been very tough on China, not just now with 20 percent and more with the reciprocal tariffs that will hit on April 2nd, but look at what he did in his first term. There were billions of dollars’ worth of tariffs that he implemented on China, and it’s quite telling that the previous administration did not rescind those tariffs because they realised the value that they had in not only deterring China, but also raising revenue here in the United States,” Leavitt said.
Her remarks came after the US imposed additional tariffs on Chinese imports, with a 20 percent rate taking effect in April. These measures are part of the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries.
Leavitt also responded to Chinese threats, following a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry, where it vowed readiness to “fight till the end” in response to the new US tariffs. “He (Hegseth) said that America will always be prepared to defend itself, especially under the leadership of this President in the Oval Office. And that certainly remains true, again, when it comes to tariffs,” Leavitt reiterated, referencing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s earlier comments.
Hegseth had been quoted by the New York Post, stating that the US must remain strong to deter conflict, particularly with China. “If we want to deter war with the Chinese or others, we have to be strong,” he said.
In response to Beijing’s stance, which included retaliatory tariff hikes on American agricultural and food products, Leavitt stressed the United States’ readiness to confront any type of war, whether trade-related or otherwise.
Further, Leavitt touched on President Trump’s concerns over the Panama Canal, a critical area for US interests. “President was very vocal several weeks ago about the need to ensure that China is not controlling the Panama Canal. This is a very important place for the United States of America,” she said.
Leavitt concluded, “the President will continue to ensure that the Chinese government, the CCP cannot be infiltrated in the Western Hemisphere and certainly not in the Panama Canal which is a very important place for our country.”