Washington [US], October 15 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused China of attempting to drive a wedge between the United States and Argentina by purchasing soybeans from the South American nation instead of American producers.
“I would say so,” Trump told reporters in the Cabinet Room while speaking alongside his Cabinet members and Argentine President Javier Milei. “China likes to draw wedges.” When asked about reports concerning Chinese port fees imposed on US vessels, Trump downplayed their significance. “I guess, that’s natural. It’s China and it’s natural,” he remarked. “It’s not gonna mean anything in the end.”
Following his interaction with reporters, Trump issued a warning to China over its refusal to buy US soybeans, calling the move “an Economically Hostile Act.” He posted on Truth Social, “I believe that China purposefully not buying our Soybeans, and causing difficulty for our Soybean Farmers, is an Economically Hostile Act. We are considering terminating business with China having to do with Cooking Oil, and other elements of Trade, as retribution.”
Trump’s remarks come amid rising trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. China had earlier announced new special port fees for US ships arriving at Chinese ports, effective October 14, marking another escalation in the ongoing trade standoff. The Chinese government stated that the measure was designed to “safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese shipping industry and enterprises while ensuring fair competition in international shipping,” according to the Global Times.
The Chinese Transport Ministry indicated that the new fees on eligible US vessels berthing at Chinese ports would start at 400 yuan (USD 56) per net ton and would increase annually on April 17 for the next three years. China said the levy, introduced on October 10, was a direct response to the US decision to impose additional port fees on Chinese ships arriving at American ports starting October 14. The ministry added that Washington’s actions had “seriously violated WTO rules and the China-US maritime transport agreement,” causing “severe disruption” in bilateral maritime trade.
Amid these frictions, China also announced tighter controls on rare earth exports, further straining economic relations. In retaliation, President Trump threatened to impose an additional 100 per cent tariff on China and other restrictive measures, set to take effect on November 1.
Beijing, meanwhile, urged Washington to “correct its wrongdoings” and “demonstrate sincerity in trade discussions” to meet each other halfway. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce stated, “The US side cannot seek talks on one hand while threatening to introduce new restrictive measures on the other. This is not the right way to get along with China,” according to Xinhua. (ANI)
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