Trump's Tariffs and China Clash Sparks Concern Among Lawmakers Over Global Alliances
US President Donald Trump Global tariffs took center stage during two congressional hearings on Wednesday when multiple Democratic lawmakers expressed concerns about how these broad measures could put pressure on international partnerships, with China continuing to be a primary focus.
During testimony at the House Armed Services Committee, Pentagon and U.S. Army officials mostly avoided addressing the impact of the tariffs. However, they committed to enhancing collaboration instead. Indo-Pacific partners - particularly Taiwan - To offset China's growing military strength.
Raising tariffs by 24 percent is what you're doing. Japan , 25 percent on South Korea “Thirty-two percent on Taiwan... How does this tariff policy reinforce our alliances?” questioned U.S. Representative Seth Moulton of John Noh, who is serving as the acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs.
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Moulton's worries echoed those of numerous Democratic legislators during the hearing, as they all expressed doubts about the wider strategic implications of Trump's trade policies on the Indo-Pacific region.
For instance, US Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania stated that Trump's tariff threats compelled Beijing, Tokyo, and Seoul to hold a trilateral meeting aimed at mitigating the pressure.
In the meantime, U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney from Connecticut questioned whether the tariffs on Australia could undermine the Aukus alliance , a three-way security partnership that encompasses the two longstanding allies along with Britain .
"As per the free-trade agreement between Australia and the US, stated Courtney, 'there are no tariffs on American products entering Australia... In fact, there is a trade surplus from the U.S. to Australia. The U.S. is investing in our industrial sector, but simultaneously, we are taxing Australian imports at the same rate as those coming from any other country.' Iran ."
Noh replied that the tariffs exceeded the scope of his role as well as that of the Pentagon.
The ex-US Army officer stated, "Our alliances and partnerships remain in an exceptionally robust position."
On the contrary, US Congressman Trent Kelly from Mississippi, who belongs to the Republican Party, supported America's recent trade policy.
"What we have here is appeasement—giving everybody what they desire at your own cost,” Kelly stated. “This does not constitute a true partnership.”
He added, 'We endured four years under a feeble and ineffective leader who never existed,' referring to the Joe Biden administration.
Last week, Trump initiated a worldwide tariff campaign, targeting several of America’s nearest Indo-Pacific partners such as Japan and South Korea. India and Vietnam , hardest hit.
On Wednesday, the U.S. President declared a 90-day exemption for most countries, however, he increased the tariffs on China to 125 percent.
Despite the nonpartisan discussion during the hearings, the witnesses committed to strengthening U.S. initiatives aimed at deterring Beijing in one of the most volatile regions in the Indo-Pacific: Taiwan.
Noh encouraged Taiwan to boost its defense budget, stating that they "need to considerably enhance their efforts through increased expenditure, procurement of asymmetric capabilities, and implementing reforms."
Taiwan has already committed to increasing defense expenditure to more than 3 percent of its GDP.
Noh also stated: "As expected, Xi Jinping has ordered the [ People's Liberation Army ] to be prepared to launch an invasion of Taiwan by 2027."
Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons .
Earlier this month, the PLA carried out military exercises around the island, which raised concerns among Western observers.
On Wednesday, during his testimony before Congress, US Navy Admiral Samuel Paparo, who leads the US Indo-Pacific Command, stated that the transfer of equipment, movement of personnel, and deployment of ammunition serve as crucial signs to determine whether China’s military exercises are escalating toward an actual confrontation.
The US Army has "explored further some of the non-military tools wielded by the People's Republic of China" to regain insights, according to Peparo.
On Wednesday, the House Ways and Means Committee conducted an examination of the Trump administration’s trade policies following Beijing’s declaration of increased tariffs on goods coming from the United States along with countermeasures taken as retaliation. European Union countries.
The US Trade Representative, Jamie Clark, addressed sharp critiques coming from Democrats as well as certain Republicans who serve on the significant committee.
On Tuesday, Greer was grilled by the Senate Finance Committee over the trade dispute with China, struggling to explain the strategy behind the global tariffs and the White House's efforts to counter Beijing's retaliatory measures.
Despite Trump reversing most of the tariffs and granting a 90-day suspension to facilitate talks, except for those concerning China, numerous legislators voiced concerns over the state of U.S. international relations.
Richard Neal, a Democratic congressman from Massachusetts and the ranking member of the committee, described it as a "poor tactic" to simultaneously engage in a trade dispute with nearly every nation around the globe.
Neal stated that this is pushing away allies who have supported us for many years.
He mentioned that the sole solution to break this deadlock would involve passing legislation that reinstates Congress’s control over trade talks, encompassing the ability to endorse or veto tariff enactments.
California Democrat Linda Sanchez voiced similar sentiments, mentioning that she had recently met with Nato Partners and experienced firsthand how "President Trump's unpredictable trade choices have undermined our leadership among allies" by viewing allied countries as opponents.
" Russia is receiving an exemption while our allies, including those who supported us following the September 11th terror attacks, are facing rising tariffs," Sanchez continued. "It’s unfortunate to admit that our NATO partners no longer have faith in us.
On Wednesday, Greer encountered intense questioning from Republicans, who typically back most of Trump's policies.
Lloyd Smucker, a Republican from Pennsylvania, stated that during Washington's previous trade conflict with China, Beijing employed "transshipment" tactics. This allowed Chinese goods to be routed through third-party nations to bypass tariffs, thereby dodging import duties.
Greg Murphy, a Republican from North Carolina, expressed his worry that the tariff policies might cause the U.S. to lose its edge as an exporter compared to China.
Greer countered that even though the U.S. maintained a trade surplus with many of its allies, the worldwide deficit meant that the net trade balance remained unfavorable.
The US trade representative suggested that these surpluses ought to be more substantial,” adding that the EU, Australia, and Japan were criticized for keeping trade barriers in place against specific goods and services offered by American firms.
Greer received support from Jason Smith, the chairman of the committee and a Missouri Republican, who expressed his backing for the White House's trade strategy.
"Tariffs are effective, not because we enjoy having them, but because they serve as leverage," Smith stated. He noted that the duties imposed on China during Trump’s first term pushed Beijing towards negotiations and resulted in an additional "$40 billion in yearly tariff income" along with greater fairness for American manufacturers.
The White House sought to minimize worries that the tariffs might lead to international isolation for the United States. Following the announcement of the tariff suspension, White House press secretary Katherine Leavitt pushed back against critics in the media who she said misunderstood President Trump’s intentions, referring to them as people “who obviously fail to grasp what President Trump is accomplishing.”
Leavitt stated that you attempted to claim the global community was gravitating towards China, whereas the reality has shown quite the contrary.
Every country around the globe is reaching out to the United States of America instead of China since they require access to our market, depend on our consumer base, and seek guidance from the president sitting in the Oval Office.
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The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which serves as the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
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