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Former national security advisor John Bolton has warned that President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies against China may have unintended consequences, impacting not only rival nations but also America’s key allies. During a recent interview with CNBC, Bolton emphasized that such an approach is counterproductive. “You don’t treat your allies this way, publicly imposing tariffs and demanding improvements in trade negotiations,” he stated.
Bolton criticized the strategy, claiming it has strategically empowered China while alienating potential allies who could unite to counter China’s trade practices. He termed this a significant blunder, asserting that it poses long-term costs to the U.S. economy if the tariff policies remain in place.
In a bold move announced on April 2, which Trump called “liberation day,” he instituted comprehensive tariffs affecting virtually all countries, a decision that economists have deemed problematic. This included a general 10% tariff on imports, alongside more severe levies on specific nations based on the U.S. trade deficit — a characterization Trump labeled as “reciprocal,” despite its questionable relevance to tariff determination.
In a matter of days, the financial markets reacted heavily, resulting in massive losses estimated in the trillions and increased yields on U.S. treasuries. Consequently, Trump opted for a 90-day suspension of heightened tariffs but retained the blanket 10% duty on all imports, affecting close U.S. allies and maintaining pre-existing tariffs on Mexico and Canada. In a move that further escalated tensions, he raised tariffs on Chinese goods, which Beijing countered with its own import taxes on U.S. products.
As the trade dispute escalated, tariffs on Chinese imports have reached 145%, while those on U.S. imports to China sit at 125%. China’s leadership has committed to maintaining their position in this growing trade conflict, emphasizing their determination to “fight to the end.” Meanwhile, the Trump administration has introduced waivers for certain Chinese electronics, including smartphones.
Bolton concurred with Trump’s perspective that holding China accountable for its trade violations and practices—such as intellectual property theft and unfair competition—is necessary. However, he believes that the United States should ally with nations like Japan, South Korea, and European countries that share similar grievances against China rather than isolating itself from its traditional partners. “Instead, we’re in a confrontation with our friends, undermining our collective ability to effectively respond to China,” he noted.
Xi on a charm offensive
International reactions to Trump’s trade decisions have been largely critical. French Prime Minister François Bayrou remarked that “the president of the United States has started a hurricane” that has disrupted global trust.
In a contrasting diplomatic effort, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping has recently initiated visits to Southeast Asian nations, including Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, in what observers regard as an attempt to strengthen regional alliances.
Bolton interpreted this diplomatic strategy as a significant opportunity for China to enhance its global standing at the expense of U.S. influence. “Xi Jinping is working to foster alliances, while Trump is isolating the U.S.,” he observed. He cautioned that the erosion of U.S. credibility and trust—built since World War II—was a critical loss, and that China was positioning itself as a stabilizing force amid global turmoil. Bolton pointed out that even before current tariffs were imposed, China had been proactive in fostering collaboration with nations like South Korea and Japan against the U.S. tariffs. “It’s irrational for the U.S. to allow this situation to develop,” he concluded.
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