US lifting an ever larger stone that will smash its own feet
US President Donald Trump upped the ante on Thursday in his trade game with China, announcing he had instructed the US Trade Representative to consider $100 billion of additional tariffs on Chinese imports, after China matched his earlier $50 billion tariff wager with a similar one of its own.
By continually raising the stakes in their trade dispute, Trump is no doubt hoping Beijing will fold; but that is a losing bet. China has repeatedly made it clear that it will not bow to such pressure, saying that although it does not seek a trade war, it is not afraid of one either.
China's Commerce Ministry has responded to the latest move by urging the United States not to insist on unilateralist and protectionist trade practices in disregard of the opposition from China and the international community, warning it that China will not hesitate to fight back at any cost and it is willing to "follow through to the end".
