WSJ: Xi Jinping benefited from Trump's imposition of duties

Chinese leader Xi Jinping benefited from the introduction by US President Donald Trump of reciprocal duties on goods from around the world, writes The Wall Street Journal.

"Xi ... will take this week as a confirmation of his views, and he will not have to make much effort to take advantage of these differences (of the weakened West)," the material says.

The publication notes that Trump's imposition of duties on goods from a number of Asian countries will lead to the fact that they will be under the influence of China or will not be able to get rid of it. The newspaper names Vietnam among such states (for which Trump set a duty of 46%), Thailand (36%), Indonesia (32%), the Philippines (17%).

In addition, the imposition of duties on the European Union will affect the efforts of American diplomats "to wean European countries from excessive economic dependence on China."

"Now it's only a matter of time before trade missions to China from France, Germany and other countries resume again," the newspaper writes.

Trump introduced "reciprocal" duties on April 2. They touched many countries. The maximum duties — 50% — affected Lesotho and the French overseas territories of Saint Pierre and Miquelon. Also, high duties are set for countries such as Cambodia (49%), Vietnam (46%), etc. For China, the tariff was 34%, for the EU — 20%. The base rate for countries that are not singled out separately is 10%. Russia was not on the list.

China, in response to Trump's actions, also imposed retaliatory duties of 34% and filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO). The Chinese State Council called for the abolition of duties.