Trump: "Will Talk with China Within 24 Hours... Tariffs to Increase if No Agreement"

Trump: "Tariffs on China are the Opening Shot"

U.S. President Donald Trump stated regarding the '10% tariff' imposed on China, "We will probably talk within 24 hours."

President Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House on the 3rd (local time), said, "We do not want fentanyl coming into our country."

He also mentioned, "China is involved in the Panama Canal, but it won't last long."

He continued, "The tariffs on China were the opening shot," and added, "If we do not reach an agreement, the tariffs on China will go up."

This statement is interpreted to mean that the 0% tariff imposed on China starting from the 4th is just the beginning. It also suggests that if satisfactory negotiations are not reached regarding issues like fentanyl and the Panama Canal, the tariff rates will be increased.

President Trump plans to have a call with Panama regarding the canal issue on the 7th. He said, "Panama agreed to certain things, but I am not satisfied."

President Trump also announced a one-month delay in the implementation of the 25% tariff that was to be imposed on Mexico starting from the 4th. He spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and both sides agreed to delay the tariff implementation while negotiations continue.

Emphasizing that many countries treat their own countries terribly in trade, he said, "If it were up to me, I would impose reciprocal tariffs on all countries right now."

He added, "Many of the countries we are talking about regarding tariffs are so-called allies, but they do not treat us well," and "(The countries mentioned as targets for tariff imposition) are dying to make a deal with the U.S."

Kim Dae-young, Hankyung.com reporter kdy@hankyung.com