The U.S. trade war with China just got kicked up another notch.
The White House on Wednesday proposed a 25 percent tariff on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods, more than double the 10 percent tax rate originally planned.
U.S. trade representatives are trying to re-engage China in trade talks to de-escalate tensions between the two countries. Advisers reportedly told President Trump that China's authorities would be more likely to yield if higher tax rates were imposed.
Last month, the administration imposed a 25 percent tariff on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods, mostly machines and components. When Beijing immediately retaliated, Trump proposed additional taxes on $200 billion in importsーthis time affecting more consumer goods like furniture and computers.
Raising the proposed tax rate on those goods means extending the deadline for public comment on the plan from August 30 to September 5.
Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the false alarm "may have been a bogus call" but that law enforcement agencies are ready to stop any attempt to disrupt the court case of former President Donald Trump, who was indicted Tuesday on charges of trying to overthrow the 2020 election.
The federal judge assigned to the election fraud case against former President Donald Trump has stood out as one of the toughest punishers of rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol in an attack fueled by Trump's baseless claims of a stolen election. She has also ruled against him before.
