Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday accused China of breaching the terms of a major trade agreement and warned of renewed tariffs if the violations are not addressed. Speaking at a rally in Ohio, Trump said China had “blatantly disregarded key parts” of a 2020 tariff deal that was central to his administration’s trade policy.
The accusation centers on what Trump claims is China’s failure to meet purchase commitments and intellectual property protections agreed to under the Phase One trade agreement. “China has broken the deal. They’re not living up to their word, and we won’t let them get away with it,” Trump declared.
Trump, who is campaigning for a potential return to the presidency in 2028, said that he would consider “strong economic penalties” if China does not come back into compliance. He also hinted at potential tariffs on new sectors, saying that America must “defend its industries from unfair competition.”
Under the 2020 agreement, China had pledged to increase purchases of U.S. goods and services by $200 billion over two years and take steps to improve protections for American intellectual property. However, several analysts and U.S. trade officials have since noted that China fell short of the purchase targets and was slow to implement structural reforms.
While the Biden administration has not commented directly on Trump’s new claims, trade observers say the former president’s remarks could raise tensions between the two countries. “This rhetoric may add more pressure on an already fragile U.S.-China trade relationship,” said Carla Anderson, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.
The Chinese government has not yet responded to Trump’s comments. In the past, Beijing has denied allegations of deal violations and accused Washington of politicizing economic issues.
Trump’s comments come at a time of increased scrutiny of U.S.-China relations, with both countries engaging in diplomatic and economic maneuvering. Earlier this week, current U.S. officials met with Chinese counterparts to discuss trade barriers and ongoing disputes over high-tech exports.
In his speech, Trump also criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of China policy, saying that the administration has been “too soft” and has allowed Beijing to exploit loopholes in trade enforcement. “We had China in check, and now they’re walking all over us again,” Trump said.
As part of his broader campaign message, Trump is emphasizing economic nationalism and promising to bring back manufacturing jobs to the U.S. He pledged to prioritize American industries and reinstate policies that punish countries he sees as violating trade rules.
Political analysts note that trade with China is likely to remain a major topic in the upcoming election cycle, with both Republicans and Democrats facing pressure to take a tougher stance. The latest accusations from Trump may further intensify debate over how the U.S. should handle its largest trading partner.
Source; USA Today
