讀後心得

Trump announced a new tariff of 34% on Chinese goods, leading Beijing to decide to impose the same tariffs on all American products starting April 10. This move is seen as a strong warning to the Trump administration, with China stating that America's unilateral trade actions will backfire. According to reports, the main exports from the U.S. to China include agricultural products and electrical equipment, putting immense pressure on farmers, especially since soybean prices have already significantly dropped. Additionally, China has restricted rare earth exports and the trade of several American companies. Experts point out that if the U.S. does not strengthen its domestic industry policies, it will maintain a vulnerable position in the U.S.-China trade war.

After Trump announced a 34% new tariff on Chinese goods, this additional tax rate brought the total tariff rate to 54% this year. Subsequently, on April 4, Beijing announced that it would impose a 34% import tariff on all American products starting April 10, in response to Trump's "reciprocal tariff" measures. In addition, Beijing implemented several other measures, including strengthening controls over rare earth resources.

Experts from a technology policy consulting firm pointed out that China has traditionally adopted a "mirror response" strategy targeting specific industries in response to U.S. export restrictions. However, this time, the broader plan announced by Beijing sent a significant warning to the Trump administration, urging it to suspend further measures. Chinese state media stated that the U.S.'s imposition of reciprocal tariffs violates fundamental economic laws and market principles, ignores the balance of benefits in multilateral trade agreements, and constitutes unilateralism and economic bullying, which will ultimately backfire.

According to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the export of U.S. goods to China in 2024 was $144.6 billion, which is significantly less compared to imports from China. The main industries exporting from the U.S. include electrical and electronic equipment, energy, and oilseeds and grains. Compared to the tariff war during Trump's first term, China's current countermeasures seem more confident.

Analysis indicates that although the U.S. remains an important market, the number of companies reliant on U.S. suppliers has significantly decreased, and China is also striving for technological self-sufficiency.

American farmers will face immense pressure as China's tariffs make U.S. agricultural product exports expensive and lose competitiveness. Data shows that soybeans, oilseeds, and certain grains are the main exported goods. Experts mentioned that China still accounts for 52% of U.S. soybean exports, indicating the difficulty of substituting the Chinese market.

While formulating counter-tariffs, soybean prices saw a significant drop. Fuel and oil imported by China from the U.S. are also affected by tariffs, and the oil and gas industry in certain states may be impacted. Furthermore, with the U.S. imposing export restrictions on advanced technologies, the export volume of electrical machinery and equipment has declined.

China is not only imposing tariffs but also restricting the export of rare earth elements and has placed several American companies on its trade sanctions list. Some experts pointed out that China's control over rare earth mining and refining might lead to future industrial bottlenecks, especially in semiconductor manufacturing and other high-tech fields.

In the context of escalating U.S.-China trade tensions, experts warn that if the U.S. does not formulate relevant industrial policies to enhance domestic industry's capital investment, it will face a relatively weak and passive situation.