Economics
Here’s How Trump Could Really Hurt China on Trade
- Machinery, electronics are almost half of U.S.’s China imports
- Steel, aluminum tariffs won’t cut U.S. deficit, analyst says
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U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed steel and aluminum tariffs won’t cause China too much pain. If he really wants to land a blow on the biggest trading nation, he’d need to target electronics, toys and textiles.
Metals were just 5.1 percent of American imports from China in 2016, World Bank data show, while machinery and electronics made up 48 percent. Miscellaneous items like furniture and toys accounted for 16.5 percent of imports. Textiles and clothes made up 8.6 percent.