I’m no trade expert, but...
Why don’t we determine exactly what needs to be done, including tariffs, to make the trade situation right - and do it the first time?
Seems that tit-for-tat might not be the best way to go.
Actually, Trump did that. He asked President Xi for a plan to reduce the trade deficit by $100 billion per year. Xi ignored him.
“Seems that tit-for-tat might not be the best way to go.”
Tit-for-tat forces China to reply in moderation :-) ... they can’t ignore the tariffs :-).
If you’d go all in from the start, you risk a massive shock to the financial system. Look at how markets responded to a rather low tariff ... they went haywire, but they’re recovering.
The way it’s being handled now, it’s more like a negotiation where we respond to the Chinese response. They aren’t going to risk more than they can afford. Neither are we. The Chinese are many things, but they aren’t exactly irrational ... they’re very calculated.
That’s the way I see it anyway ... you plan your moves in advance and slowly raise the stakes in response to what happens. Unless China reacts irrationally, both sides will strike a balance that will benefit the USA w/o causing major problems with China.
Because we don't know what China will to in retaliation.
It had to be tit for tat. Trump didn’t plan on Chinese retaliatory measures. You can’t really plan on what the other side’s going to do Back before they do it. You give them a chance first. But once they do it, then you act. Totally unlike prior presidents! This guy is no wimp!
Basic art of the deal 101. Each time they deny your first offer, you come back even harder. I guess they didn't read his book.