As US and China begin trade talks in Geneva, Trump’s tariff hammer looks less mighty than he hoped
The way US President Donald Trump sees it, beating China in a trade war should be easy.
After all, his logic goes, the Chinese sell Americans three times as much stuff as Americans sell them. Therefore, they have more to lose. Inflict enough pain – like the combined 145 per cent taxes he slapped on Chinese imports last month – and they'll beg for mercy.
Trump's treasury secretary, Scott Bessent has confidently compared Beijing to a card player stuck with a losing hand.
"They're playing with a pair of twos,'' he said.
US President Donald Trump speaks at an event for Military Mothers, Thursday, May 8, 2025, in the East Room of the White House in Washington (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Somebody forgot to tell China. So far, the Chinese have refused to fold un...