Residents of China’s capital expressed indifference and defiance Saturday when asked about AFP about US President Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose new tariffs on the country.
On Friday, Trump suddenly announced that the United States would impose additional 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports starting Nov. 1 “or sooner,” also casting doubt on an upcoming meeting with President Xi Jinping.
Chinese authorities have yet to publicly respond to the threat, which Trump said was retaliation for Beijing’s new export control measures in the strategic rare earths sector.
The ministries of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not comment when asked about it by AFP on Saturday.
“I didn’t feel anything when I first saw the news,” said Liu Ming, a 48-year-old employee at a software company, outside a large shopping mall in Beijing.
“Trump always has these childish or capricious policies,” Liu said.
“China does not fear any US sanctions or any policies aimed at limiting us. We have the confidence and ability to do better ourselves.”
‘Big shock’
Like others interviewed by AFP On the streets of Beijing on Saturday, Liu sees Trump as mercurial.
“From a Chinese person’s perspective, it’s a little unreliable,” he said.
“He always goes from one policy to another, causing great commotion in the world.
“It’s not stable.”
Irene Wang, an insurance worker in her thirties, echoed this sentiment.
“Today he says one thing, but maybe after a nap he’ll change his mind again,” Wang jokes.
“At his age (79), he should be a little more composed.”
She believes the sky-high tariffs Trump threatens could backfire.
“For Americans, it could have an impact,” he said, as tariffs on Chinese goods could drive up prices in the United States.
As for the potential impact on people living in China, Wang acknowledged that he couldn’t completely ignore the news.
“Honestly, it’s not the first time, so we’ll have to wait and see how things develop.”
Waiting for something “normal”
Some residents of the Chinese capital said AFP They only expected a moderate impact on their country’s economy if the trade war with Washington escalated again.
“The import and export sector, especially businesses, will inevitably be affected to some extent,” said 40-year-old Jesicca Yu.
But “for ordinary people in China, in the immediate future, I don’t think much will change in their daily lives,” he said.
Yu also lamented the strained relationship between Beijing and Washington.
“The more peaceful things are, the more economic development can take place,” he said.
“We hope everything returns to normal.”
Lisa Liu, a colleague of Yu’s who is in her 30s, said she saw some good in Trump’s unpredictable approach to governing.
“He gives us a lot to talk about at the table,” she said.
