Trump Lives Up to His Promises -- Including Taking On ChinaReal Clear Politics, My 18, 2019, Kelly Sadler
Donald J. Trump is the only president in history who is criticized for delivering on his campaign promises. Back on the campaign trail in 2016, candidate Trump outlined his plans for an American economic revival. He promised a “bold new tax reform.†Done. He promised to “scale back years of disastrous regulations.†Done. He said he would unleash American energy. Done. Last – and what he described as the “foundation for everything†-- was trade.
The president, thus far, has done what he has promised in delivering on trade reform. Last November, the president successfully negotiated and signed the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement, an agreement that put American workers and businesses first. Under his proposal – which has yet to be brought to the U.S. House floor by Nancy Pelosi – the new pact would add $68.2 billion to the U.S. economy and create 176,000 new jobs.
He said he would exit the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Done. He said he would direct the secretary of commerce to identify every violation of trade agreements a foreign country is currently using to harm our workers. Done. He said he would instruct the U.S. trade representative to bring trade cases against China. Done.
The president promised: “If China does not stop its illegal activities, including its theft of American trade secrets and intellectual property, I will apply countervailing duties until China ceases and desists.â€
Which brings us to present day.
After high-stakes trade negotiations broke down last week – reportedly because the Chinese started reneging on their end of the deal -- the administration-imposed 25% tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods. Do not expect President Trump to back down.
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