Welcome to the news breakthrough on Friday, April 4th. Our special guests for today’s show are Ming Juzheng, Honorary Professor of Political Science at National Taiwan University, Zheng Qinqinmo, Associate Professor of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University, and host Zhang Dongxu.
Today’s focus is on China’s retaliatory tariffs against the US and ongoing provocations towards Taiwan. Will the consequences be severe? Is China’s military exercise merely a show of military incapability? It seems the morale within the Chinese military is very unstable. With the US making strategic adjustments, is Trump constantly preparing for war? Will the EU shift towards China?
On April 2nd, Trump announced tariffs on 185 countries. If China fails to comply with promised structural reforms to the world, these new tariffs could have a devastating impact on China. How will China respond? China has already declared a 34% tariff on the US.
In the past week, the US Defense Secretary visited Asia-Pacific allies while China conducted military exercises near Taiwan without warning. What does this confrontational stance between the US and China signify?
On Wednesday afternoon, President Trump announced the most extensive tariff measures to date, covering 185 countries. A 10% tariff is effective immediately for all trade partners, with additional double-digit “equivalent” tariffs imposed on dozens of countries identified by the US government as engaging in unfair trade practices.
US Treasury Secretary confirmed that tariffs on Chinese imports will increase from the original 20% in Trump’s first term to 34%, totaling 54%. Combined with previous tariffs, the average rate will reach approximately 65% and potentially as high as 73%.
Professor Ming Juzheng, what impact will this have on China? How will China respond? According to Bloomberg’s estimates, a 54% tariff on Chinese goods could lead to a 90% reduction in exports to the US by 2030.
Professor Zheng Qinqinmo, what are your thoughts on this? Additionally, the EU and the UK have long been close allies of the US. The EU criticized the potential global economic damage and threatened retaliatory measures if negotiations fail. What are your observations on this matter?
On April 1st, the PLA announced joint military exercises near Taiwan to counter the so-called “Taiwan independence forces,” deploying forces from the Eastern Theater Command, including the army, navy, air force, and rocket force. Since President Lai Ching-te took office in the Republic of China, China’s hostility towards Taiwan has escalated, even displaying a “surrounding Taiwan” posture as a provocation. Various countries including the US, EU, Japan, UK, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand have expressed concerns about peace in the Taiwan Strait.
Professors Ming Juzheng and Zheng Qinqinmo, what do you think is the motivation behind China’s military exercise this time?
US Defense Secretary Hagesus visited Asia, inspecting Guam, Philippines, and Japan, exchanging views with top military officials from both countries. Many foreign media outlets interpret this as China’s primary reason for launching military exercises near Taiwan.
Professor Ming Juzheng disagrees and has a different perspective. What are his reasons? How does he analyze the situation?
Recently, Taiwan uncovered a suspected espionage case involving personnel from the former Legislative Yuan office and former Presidential Office staff. Issues related to Chinese infiltration in parliaments have emerged in many countries. Some analysts warn that Russia and China may be exchanging experiences in infiltration and cognitive warfare. Taiwan also needs to be wary of Russia’s previous infiltration in Ukraine.
Professor Zheng Qinqinmo, what are your observations in this regard?
You are welcome to subscribe to the News Insight II channel on the Clean World platform.
Subscribe to the News Insight channel for updates.
Clean World Subscription Channel:
Twitter ➡ https://twitter.com/NInsight2023
Facebook ➡ https://www.facebook.com/NewsInsight2023/
You tube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@News_Insight_II