Trump must avoid an 'ugly deal' with China

Beijing's bait may be tempting, but he should never trade away security

20250213 Trump Insight

3D-printed model of U.S. President Donald Trump and the Chinese flag. While Trump is passionate about dealmaking, he must be careful not to trade U.S. security concessions for China's trade offers. © Reuters

HIROYUKI AKITA

TOKYO -- Just a few weeks into Donald Trump's U.S. presidency, diplomatic and economic tensions between the U.S. and China are intensifying. On Feb. 4, Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on all imports from China, signaling that further increases may follow.

Trump's strategy to pressure China goes beyond trade disputes. He views China's growing influence over the Panama Canal as a strategic threat and is poised to take action to remove its involvement there.

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