Media Asks Trump About China Plan
Tensions between the United States and China have hit a boiling point as President Donald Trump ramps up his efforts to stand up to Beijing’s unfair trade practices. But now, even traditionally conservative voices are questioning whether the White House has a clear plan to win the economic showdown.
In a surprising move, The Wall Street Journal editorial board — owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. — issued a pointed critique of President Trump’s handling of the China trade war. The paper accused the administration of lacking a clear and consistent strategy, warning that an improvised approach may do more harm than good for American families, businesses, and retirees.
“It seems President Trump is making it up as he goes,” the Journal wrote. “Without a strong, unified plan to counter China’s manipulation of global trade, the U.S. risks economic fallout at home.”
The Journal argued that instead of going it alone, the United States should be leading a global coalition to pressure China into fairer trade. But they say that opportunity was squandered when the Trump administration exited the Trans-Pacific Partnership — a deal specifically crafted to limit China’s influence.
Since then, China has been quick to negotiate trade agreements with other nations, leaving the U.S. on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, the tariff war is escalating. President Trump recently announced steep new tariffs on Chinese goods, excluding China from a temporary 90-day pause offered to other trade partners. In response, Beijing raised tariffs on American products up to a staggering 125%.
Chinese officials stated that, while they won’t go above that rate, they are prepared to retaliate further if necessary.
Economic Fallout: What This Means for American Families
With prices rising on everyday items — from groceries to electronics — many older Americans are especially concerned about how the trade dispute could impact their retirement savings and monthly budgets. Market volatility, inflation, and job uncertainty are becoming key concerns for working families and retirees alike.
“The biggest threat to the global economy is China’s abuse of free trade,” the Journal warned. “But President Trump’s unpredictable tariff approach is not the solution.”
The editorial closed with a sobering observation: without a more coordinated effort, the trade war may end up hurting U.S. consumers and small businesses more than it weakens the Chinese Communist regime.
