Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Now that China and the U.S. have agreed on a 90 day reduction in tariffs, NY Democrats are blasting President Donald Trump for the way it was handled.
Senator Chuck Schumer says this is just another example of "Trump chaos."
"It looks like China has again gotten the better of Trump. In fact, the Chinese made virtually no concessions," stated Schumer. "He has one policy one day, one policy the next day. Who knows what it will be 30 days from now."
Under the agreement, the U.S. will reduce the 145% tariff imposed by President Trump last month to 30%, while China has agreed to lower its tariff on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%.
The 30% tariff the U.S. is currently imposing on Chinese goods includes an existing 20% penalty aimed at pressuring China to take stronger action against the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. It also incorporates a 10% 'baseline' tariff that former President Trump applied.
"I'm all for going after China, but do it in a smart way. I've been a China Hawk all along, but do it in a smart way. Don't go have all the nations of the world ally with China and go against us. Instead, we should have made the other nations of the world our allies and then go against China."
Congressman Tim Kennedy says President Trump’s actions are not only reckless and erratic, but also directly harmful to middle-class families and the economy.
"Americans are experiencing yet another spin of President Trump’s tariff roulette wheel. There is no question that our trade relationship with China needs reform, but Americans and the global supply chain that our economy relies on cannot continue to experience the chaos of Donald Trump’s 90-day pauses. President Trump’s reckless and erratic actions are hurting middle-class families and our economy."