China will not agree to plug trade deficit with the U.S., says strategist

Quantum Strategy strategist David Roche discusses Trump's tariff strategy, and what he'll propose over the coming months. He suggests Trump will enact his campaign-promised tariffs slower than expected, and that despite Trump's efforts, no "grand bargain" will be enacted.

[pumalee]

What China wants to buy (such as high-end chips, lithography machines, etc.), the United States (and its allies) do not sell, so there is no way to achieve a balance.

[teebone]

you actually have to export something other than corn in order to balance the trade deficit. The US exports more in weapons and death than actual products the world can afford and use

[leahcasey]

China's going to be getting its oil and gas from Russia and Iran. Costs less, the source is closer, they're all BRICS+ countries and they'll trade in their own currencies.
The EU is extremely dependent on US energy and weapons.
The EU economy is in tatters and it's becoming more divided by the day.

[louistan]

Would the US if the situation were reversed?

[DannyChean]

You know why we won't agree? Because you don't have military base in our country.🤣🤣🤣

[bbyl]

60% tarriff on Apple, sounds good to me.

[dugowf]

I wonder how much China buys is actually American products built in China? Tesla, Apple etc. not to mention American clothing, food and drink etc. these figures will likely not be counted in straight export/input figures.

[teatree]

It is safer for China to just NOT buy things it does not need from USA. Whether USA wants to buy anything from China, it should then be irrelevant. China had to treat USA market as irrelevant

[temper]

They could though. They could shift beef, bean, grain and pork buys from south America, metals and wine from Australia and oil from Saudi Arabia to the US to change the equation. However, with the US dollar so strong, I wonder if US producers are competitive on the open market.