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On Wednesday, China lashed out at threats from the White House on potential trade troubles. China warned that they are ready to fight back if the U.S. is looking for a trade war. This happened only a few days before Wilbur Ross is set to visit China. Ross is the U.S. Commerce Secretary.

Washington Restrictions

On Tuesday, the U.S. announced that they are still considering imposing taxes on $50 billion on China’s imports. The U.S. said that this will happen if China doesn’t address the issue of stealing American intellectual property.

Washington also announced that it will push with restrictions on investments by Chinese companies in the U.S. They added that they will also press ahead with export controls for goods shipped to China.

This might be happening because the President is meeting with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, on June 12^th. China is a key diplomatic backer for North Korea. Washington might be acting tougher because they see Beijing trying to limit navigational freedom in the South China Sea.

Trade Problems

Earlier this month, both sides agreed in Washington to decrease China’s $375 billion surpluses. Wilbur Ross will try to convince China to agree to buy more U.S. goods on his June 2-4 visit to Beijing.

Hua Chunying is a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. She told to media that China urges the U.S. to keep its promise. She added that China is going to take forceful and resolute measures to protect its interests. But this will happen only if Washington acts recklessly and arbitrarily.

Visas

A White House official stated on Tuesday that the U.S. government has plans to shorten the visa lengths for some Chinese immigrants. This is a strategy to stop Chinese visitors from stealing U.S. intellectual property.

The Trump administration released a document on the matter in December. It stated that the U.S. government is going to restrict visas for technology and science students from some countries.

Questions from the American People:

1. China is a much larger country with a larger economy. How much will U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions affect them?
2. How will our relations with China affect our possible progress in North Korea?
3. Will shortened visas be effective in protecting copyrights and patents?