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Trump's China car tariffs claim sows confusion | Trump's China car tariffs claim sows confusion |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A proposed cut by China to tariffs on US car imports created confusion in Washington, a day after it was announced by US President Donald Trump. | A proposed cut by China to tariffs on US car imports created confusion in Washington, a day after it was announced by US President Donald Trump. |
Beijing has not yet confirmed the move and President Trump's advisers appeared less certain about the agreement. | Beijing has not yet confirmed the move and President Trump's advisers appeared less certain about the agreement. |
Uncertainty also surrounded the details of the broader trade war truce struck by the US and China at the G20 summit. | Uncertainty also surrounded the details of the broader trade war truce struck by the US and China at the G20 summit. |
Amid scant details, carmaker Ford told the BBC it is "looking forward to learning more" about the truce. | |
The US accuses China of unfair trading practices and tariffs are intended to counter Chinese practices that make it difficult for American companies to compete. | The US accuses China of unfair trading practices and tariffs are intended to counter Chinese practices that make it difficult for American companies to compete. |
Tariffs, in theory, make US-made products cheaper than imported ones, and encourage consumers to buy American. | Tariffs, in theory, make US-made products cheaper than imported ones, and encourage consumers to buy American. |
Trump tweet | |
After months of escalating threats, Washington and Beijing said they had reached a temporary agreement in their bruising trade dispute at the G20 meeting in Argentina over the weekend. | After months of escalating threats, Washington and Beijing said they had reached a temporary agreement in their bruising trade dispute at the G20 meeting in Argentina over the weekend. |
Central to the deal was an agreement between President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping to not increase tariffs for 90 days to allow for talks. | Central to the deal was an agreement between President Trump and China's President Xi Jinping to not increase tariffs for 90 days to allow for talks. |
The US president later said in a tweet that Beijing had "agreed to reduce and remove tariffs on cars coming into China from the US". | The US president later said in a tweet that Beijing had "agreed to reduce and remove tariffs on cars coming into China from the US". |
His comments relate to the 40% tariff China imposes on US vehicle imports, which were brought in as part of the trade battle in July. The rate is much higher than the 15% it places on other trading partners and forced many carmakers in China - the world's largest car market - to raise prices. | His comments relate to the 40% tariff China imposes on US vehicle imports, which were brought in as part of the trade battle in July. The rate is much higher than the 15% it places on other trading partners and forced many carmakers in China - the world's largest car market - to raise prices. |
Confusion | |
The day after the announcement, there was confusion over the details in Washington, with senior figures in the White House contradicting each other. | The day after the announcement, there was confusion over the details in Washington, with senior figures in the White House contradicting each other. |
Asked whether China would remove the 40% auto tariffs Larry Kudlow, the US president's top economic adviser, said he "believed that commitment was made". | Asked whether China would remove the 40% auto tariffs Larry Kudlow, the US president's top economic adviser, said he "believed that commitment was made". |
In a briefing to reporters, he also said the US did not yet have a "specific agreement" on auto tariffs. | In a briefing to reporters, he also said the US did not yet have a "specific agreement" on auto tariffs. |
Another senior White House figure, trade adviser Peter Navarro, said only that the issue "certainly came up" in discussions at the G20. | Another senior White House figure, trade adviser Peter Navarro, said only that the issue "certainly came up" in discussions at the G20. |
Confusion has also arisen over when the agreed 90-day period for negotiations will kick in, with some saying it begins now, others claiming it starts in January. | |
Ford is just one major company looking for clarity. The US carmaker said it was "encouraged by the trade discussions" as it awaited more detail. | |
"We look forward to learning more," Ford said in a statement. | "We look forward to learning more," Ford said in a statement. |
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