Why Trump’s ‘Get Tough on China’ Policy Is Counterproductive

Michael Fuchs explains why the Trump administration's indiscriminate "get tough" approach to China will prove self-defeating and counterproductive.

In recent months, President Donald Trump has launched America’s new buckshot approach to China—hit China everywhere and see what works. On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence gave a speech to articulate this new “get tough” policy. The strategy includes starting a trade war and shining a spotlight on China’s propaganda in the United States, with presumably more to come.

Faced with real threats from China that require a strategic response, this scattershot policy will be counterproductive. The trade war is the perfect example of the drawbacks: using indiscriminate tariffs in an unlikely attempt to change China’s economy will only hurt America and its allies without solving the real problems American businesses face in China.

The above excerpt was originally published in The Guardian. Click here to view the full article.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. A full list of supporters is available here. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.