Chronologies
US - China
Chronology from May 2019 to Aug 2019
: Trump tweets: “Just watched Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, and many other Democrats, wanting to give up on our very successful Trade battle with China, which has had its worst Economic year in memory (and getting worse). We are taking in $Billions. Will be big for Farmers and ALL!”
: A US MC-130J aircraft flies along the line dividing the Taiwan Strait between mainland China and Taiwan, according to the Taiwan’s Defense Ministry.
: Trump tweets: “So interesting to read and see all of the free and interesting advice I am getting on China, from people who have tried to handle it before and failed miserably – In fact, they got taken to the cleaners. We are doing very well with China. This has never happened to them before!”
: China denies a request by the US Navy to make a port visit in Qingdao.
: USS Wayne E. Meyer sails into adjacent waters of the Spratly Islands. The Chinese naval and air forces monitor the ship, according to the spokesperson for the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command.
: Foreign Ministry spokesperson says he is not aware of the phone calls between US and Chinese officials President Trump claims occurred to restart trade talks.
: Trump tweets: “Great respect for the fact that President Xi & his Representatives want “calm resolution.” So impressed that they are willing to come out & state the facts so accurately. This is why he is a great leader & representing a great country. Talks are continuing!”
: China’s Ministry of Finance State Council Tariff Commission announces new tariffs on US goods valued at $75 billion. The first list will be implemented on Sept. 1 and the second Dec. 15.
: Trump announces via eight tweets that beginning Oct. 1, the $250 billion of goods from China, currently being taxed at 25% will be taxed at 30% and the remaining $300 billion of goods slated to be taxed at 10% beginning Sept. 1 will now be taxed at 15%.
: US Navy ship USS Green Bay passes through Taiwan Strait.
: US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issue a statement identifying two Chinese nationals as significant foreign narcotics traffickers.
: President Trump says reaching a trade deal with China would be “very hard” if the Chinese government responded to the protests in Hong Kong with violence.
: Trump tells reporters “Huawei is a company we may not do business with at all,” dismissing the notion that the Commerce Department was expecting to delay the implementation of its penalty on Huawei again.
: Trump tweets: “We are doing very well with China, and talking!”
: Trump tweets: ““If they don’t get this Trade Deal with the U.S. done, China could have it first recession (or worse!) in years. There’s disinvestment in China right now.”
: Trump tweets: “If President Xi would meet directly and personally with the protesters, there would be a happy and enlightened ending to the Hong Kong problem. I have no doubt!”
: The State Department issues a travel advisory for Hong Kong due to the unrest, instructing travelers to exercise increased caution.
: Trump tweets: “Good things were stated on the call with China the other day. They are eating the Tariffs with the devaluation of their currency and “pouring” money into their system. The American consumer is fine with or without the September date, but much good will come from the short … deferral to December. It actually helps China more than us, but will be reciprocated. Millions of jobs are being lost in China to other non-Tariffed countries. Thousands of companies are leaving. Of course China wants to make a deal. Let them work humanely with Hong Kong first!”… I know “President Xi of China very well. He is a great leader who very much has the respect of his people. He is also a good man in a “tough business.” I have ZERO doubt that if President Xi wants to quickly and humanely solve the Hong Kong problem, he can do it. Personal meeting?”
: House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel and Lead Republican Michael McCaul issue a statement about China’s threats of military intervention against protesters in Hong Kong.
: Trump tweets: “Through massive devaluation of their currency and pumping vast sums of money into their system, the tens of billions of dollars that the US is receiving is a gift from China. Prices not up, no inflation. Farmers getting more than China would be spending. Fake News won’t report! … As usual, China said they were going to be buying “big” from our great American Farmers. So far they have not done what they said. Maybe this will be different!”
: President Trump tweets: “Many are blaming me, and the United States, for the problems going on in Hong Kong. I can’t imagine why?”
: President Trump tweets: “Our Intelligence has informed us that the Chinese Government is moving troops to the Border with Hong Kong. Everyone should be calm and safe!”
: Chinese Ministry of Commerce says USTR Lighthizer, Treasury Secretary Mnuchin, and Vice Premier Liu agreed to commence trade talks within the next two weeks.
: Politburo member Yang Jiechi and Secretary Pompeo meet in New York City.
: China denies US requests for port visits to Hong Kong by the USS Green Bay and the USS Lake Erie.
: Foreign Ministry spokesperson remarks that “some senior US politicians and diplomatic officials met and engaged with anti-China rabble-rousers in Hong Kong, criticized China unreasonably, propped up violent and illegal activities and undermined Hong Kong’s prosperity.”
: Trump tweets: “China wants to make a deal so badly. Thousands of companies are leaving because of the Tariffs, they must stem the flow. At the same time China may be hoping for a Democrat to win so they could continue the great ripoff of America, & the theft of hundreds of Billions of $’s!”
: White House releases a congressionally mandated rule to prohibit government agencies from buying certain kinds of Huawei equipment. The rule goes into effect on Aug. 13.
: Deputy Governor of the People’s Bank of China Chen Yulu states that labeling China as a currency manipulator is wrong and that that US should “show respect for the truth and resolve the economic and trade disputes with China in a more reasonable and pragmatic way.”
: Secretary Mnuchin determines that China is a currency manipulator after the China’s Central Bank allows the yuan to fall below seven yuan per dollar.
: Trump tweets: “China dropped the price of their currency to an almost a historic low. It’s called “currency manipulation.” Are you listening Federal Reserve? This is a major violation which will greatly weaken China over time! … Massive “Massive amounts of money from China and other parts of the world is pouring into the United States for reasons of safety, investment, and interest rates! We are in a very strong position. Companies are also coming to the US in big numbers. A beautiful thing to watch! … As they have learned in the last two years, our great American Farmers know that China will not be able to hurt them in that their President has stood with them and done what no other president would do – And I’ll do it again next year if necessary!”
: China asks state-owned companies to suspend imports of US agricultural products.
: Trump tweets: “Things are going along very well with China. They are paying us Tens of Billions of Dollars, made possible by their monetary devaluations and pumping in massive amounts of cash to keep their system going. So far our consumer is paying nothing – and no inflation. No help from Fed!”
: Foreign Ministry spokesperson states “The root cause of the fentanyl issue in the United States does not lie with China. To solve the problem, the United States should look harder for the cause at home.”
: Foreign Ministry spokesperson says China will take “necessary countermeasures” to defend its core interests if the US increases tariffs on Chinese goods on Sept. 1.
: Trump tweets: “Our representatives have just returned from China where they had constructive talks having to do with a future Trade Deal. We thought we had a deal with China three months ago, but sadly, China decided to re-negotiate the deal prior to signing. More recently, China agreed to … buy agricultural product from the US in large quantities, but did not do so. Additionally, my friend President Xi said that he would stop the sale of Fentanyl to the United States – this never happened, and many Americans continue to die! Trade talks are continuing, and… during the talks the US will start, on September 1st, putting a small additional Tariff of 10% on the remaining 300 Billion Dollars of goods and products coming from China into our Country. This does not include the 250 Billion Dollars already Tariffed at 25% … We look forward to continuing our positive dialogue with China on a comprehensive Trade Deal, and feel that the future between our two countries will be a very bright one!”
: State Department releases a statement of concern regarding the sentencing of Huang Qi to 12 years in prison.
: Secretary Pompeo meets Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Bangkok to “address issues of bilateral and regional importance.”
: Trump tweets: “China is doing very badly, worst year in 27 – was supposed to start buying our agricultural product now – no signs that they are doing so. That is the problem with China, they just don’t come through. Our Economy has become MUCH larger than the Chinese Economy is last 3 years…. My team is negotiating with them now, but they always change the deal in the end to their benefit. They should probably wait out our Election to see if we get one of the Democrat stiffs like Sleepy Joe. Then they could make a GREAT deal, like in past 30 years, and continue … to ripoff the USA, even bigger and better than ever before. The problem with them waiting, however, is that if & when I win, the deal that they get will be much tougher than what we are negotiating now…or no deal at all. We have all the cards, our past leaders never got it! … China has lost 5 million jobs and two million manufacturing jobs due to the Trump Tariffs. Trumps got China back on its heels, and the United States is doing great. @AndyPuzder @MariaBartiromo”
: USTR Lighthizer, and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin arrive in Shanghai and meet Vice Premier Liu to resume trade talks.
: Trump tweets: “The E.U. and China will further lower interest rates and pump money into their systems, making it much easier for their manufacturers to sell product. In the meantime, and with very low inflation, our Fed does nothing – and probably will do very little by comparison. Too bad! … countries that know how to play the game against the US That’s actually why the E.U. was formed….and for China, until now, the US has been “easy pickens.” The Fed has made all of the wrong moves. A small rate cut is not enough, but we will win anyway!”
: Secretary of State Pompeo says the US hopes “the Chinese will do the right thing with respect to respecting the agreements that are in place with respect to Hong Kong.”
: Foreign Minister Wang Yi in an interview with El Murcurio states Washington’s “no-holds-barred use of pressure on China is untenable” and that “China must safeguard its own core interests on issues of China’s sovereignty and dignity.”
: President Trump says in a proclamation that the US will “use all available means” to change the provision of the WTO which allows countries to decide if they qualify as developing countries.
: USS Antietam sails through the Taiwan Strait.
: State Council Information Office of China releases a defense white paper titled “China’s National Defense in the New Era.”
: Four Chinese nationals and a Chinese company are indicted for conspiracy to defraud the United States and evade sanctions.
: Trump tweets: “Farmers are starting to do great again, after 15 years of a downward spiral. The 16 Billion Dollar China “replacement” money didn’t exactly hurt!”
: Referring to Hong Kong, President Trump tells reporters that “I think President Xi of China has acted responsibly, very responsibly – they’ve been out there protesting for a long time,” “I hope that President Xi will do the right thing.”
: Secretary of State Pompeo states that “China is home to one of the worst human rights crises of our time; it is truly the stain of the century.”
: Vice Premier Liu He has a telephone conversation with USTR Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin.
: President Trump holds a public meeting with victims of religious persecution from around the world including one Uygur woman and three other people from China.
: Trump tweets: ““Billionaire Tech Investor Peter Thiel believes Google should be investigated for treason. He accuses Google of working with the Chinese Government.” @foxandfriends A great and brilliant guy who knows this subject better than anyone! The Trump Administration will take a look!”
: Trump tweets: “China’s 2nd Quarter growth is the slowest it has been in more than 27 years. The United States Tariffs are having a major effect on companies wanting to leave China for non-tariffed countries. Thousands of companies are leaving. This is why China wants to make a deal … with the US, and wishes it had not broken the original deal in the first place. In the meantime, we are receiving Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China, with possibly much more to come. These Tariffs are paid for by China devaluing & pumping, not by the US taxpayer!”
: Secretary of Defense nominee Mark Esper says the US needs more bases “throughout the Indo-Pacific region” to counter China’s significant technological advancements.
: President Trump tells reporters at the White House that, in reference to Xi: “I used to say he’s a good friend of mine, probably not quite as close now,” … “But I have to be for our country. He’s for China and I’m for the USA., and that’s the way it’s gotta be.”
: Trump tweets: “Mexico is doing great at the Border, but China is letting us down in that they have not been buying the agricultural products from our great Farmers that they said they would. Hopefully they will start soon!”
: US peace envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad arrives in Beijing to engage in Afghan peace talks.
: USTR Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin talk by phone with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and Commerce Minister Zhong Shan.
: US Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson holds a video teleconference with Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong, commander of the People’s Liberation Army (Navy).
: Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) says that the possible sale to Taiwan of $2.2 billion in weapons serves “US national, economic, and security interests by supporting Taiwan’s “continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”
: Trump tweets: “Joe Biden is a reclamation project. Some things are just not salvageable. China and other countries that ripped us off for years are begging for him. He deserted our military, our law enforcement and our healthcare. Added more debt than all other Presidents combined. Won’t win!”
: Trump tweets: “China and Europe playing big currency manipulation game and pumping money into their system in order to compete with USA. We should MATCH, or continue being the dummies who sit back and politely watch as other countries continue to play their games – as they have for many years!”
: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang urges the US and other countries “to act prudently and not interfere in Hong Kong’s internal affairs.”
: President Trump and Chairman Xi agree to restart trade talks.
: Trump tweets: “I had a great meeting with President Xi of China yesterday, far better than expected. I agreed not to increase the already existing Tariffs that we charge China while we continue to negotiate. China has agreed that, during the negotiation, they will begin purchasing large … amounts of agricultural product from our great Farmers. At the request of our High Tech companies, and President Xi, I agreed to allow Chinese company Huawei to buy product from them which will not impact our National Security. Importantly, we have opened up negotiations … again with China as our relationship with them continues to be a very good one. The quality of the transaction is far more important to me than speed. I am in no hurry, but things look very good! There will be no reduction in the Tariffs currently being charged to China.”
: Trump tweets: “After some very important meetings, including my meeting with President Xi of China, I will be leaving Japan for South Korea (with President Moon). While there, if Chairman Kim of North Korea sees this, I would meet him at the Border/DMZ just to shake his hand and say Hello(?)!”
: President Trump states his willingness to impose tariffs on $300 billion worth of Chinese products if an agreement isn’t reach with Chairman Xi in Tokyo.
: Vice Premier Liu He talks by telephone with US Trade Representative (USTR) Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to discuss economic and trade issues.
: Trump tweets: “China gets 91% of its Oil from the Straight, Japan 62%, & many other countries likewise. So why are we protecting the shipping lanes for other countries (many years) for zero compensation. All of these countries should be protecting their own ships on what has always been….”
: US Department of Commerce adds four Chinese companies and a Chinese institute to the entity blacklist.
: United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission holds a hearing titled: “A ‘World-Class’ Military: Assessing China’s Global Military Ambitions.”
: Trump states at a rally: “I spoke to President Xi, terrific president, great leader of China. I spoke to him this morning at length and we’ll see what happens. But we’re either going to have a good deal and a fair deal or we’re not going to have a deal at all and that’s OK, too.”..
: US Deputy Assistant for Defense Policy, Emerging Threats, and Outreach Thomas DiNanno travels to Beijing for meetings and events focused on outer space security, international security, and arms control.
: Trump tweets: “Mario Draghi just announced more stimulus could come, which immediately dropped the Euro against the Dollar, making it unfairly easier for them to compete against the USA. They have been getting away with this for years, along with China and others.”
: Trump tweets: “Had a very good telephone conversation with President Xi of China. We will be having an extended meeting next week at the G-20 in Japan. Our respective teams will begin talks prior to our meeting.”
: Trump tweets: “Biden would be China’s Dream Candidate, because there would be no more Tariffs, no more demands that China stop stealing our IP, things would go back to the old days with America’s manufacturers & workers getting shafted. He has Zero Credibility!” @IngrahamAngle So true!”
: Trump tweets: “….If Mexico produces (which I think they will). Biggest part of deal with Mexico has not yet been revealed! China is similar, except they devalue currency and subsidize companies to lessen effect of 25% Tariff. So far, little effect to consumer. Companies will relocate to US”
: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin meets Yi Gang, the governor of the People’s Bank of China on the margins of the G20 Finance Ministers Meeting.
: United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission holds a hearing titled: “Technology, Trade, and Military-Civil Fusion: China’s Pursuit of Artificial Intelligence, New Materials, and New Energy.”
: President Trump says he would make a decision about whether to impose a further series of tariffs on Chinese goods after meeting Chairman Xi Jinping at the G20 meeting in Japan later this month.
: Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a hearing titled: “Rule By Fear: 30 Years After Tiananmen Square.”
: Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs holds a hearing titled: “Confronting Threats From China: Assessing Controls on Technology and Investment, and Measures to Combat Opioid Trafficking.”
: United States Congressional Executive Commission on China holds a hearing titled: “Tiananmen at 30: Examining the Evolution of Repression in China.”
: Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China issues a travel alert for Chinese tourists traveling to the United States.
: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issues a statement on the events of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
: Trump tweets: “China is subsidizing its product in order that it can continue to be sold in the USA. Many firms are leaving China for other countries, including the United States, in order to avoid paying the Tariffs. No visible increase in costs or inflation, but US is taking Billions!”
: China’s State Council Information Office publishes a white paper titled “China’s Position on the Economic and Trade Consultations.”
: Trump tweets: “Washington Post got it wrong, as usual. The US is charging 25% against 250 Billion Dollars of goods shipped from China, not 200 BD. Also, China is paying a heavy cost in that they will subsidize goods to keep them coming, devalue their currency, yet companies are moving to…..”
: Vice-Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang meets White House officials to discuss trade issues and the upcoming meeting between Trump and Xi in Japan.
: Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Hanhui accuses the United States of waging “naked economic terrorism” against Beijing.
: President Trump announces that Chinese telecom company Huawei’s blacklisted status on the US could be part of a US-China trade deal.
: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson addresses the impact of the trade war on the US agricultural sector.
: Defense officials from the United States and China meet in Washington DC, for the third Asia-Pacific Security Dialogue.
: USS Preble sails within 12 nm of Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
: Trump tweets: “Looks like Bernie Sanders is history. Sleepy Joe Biden is pulling ahead and think about it, I’m only here because of Sleepy Joe and the man who took him off the 1% trash heap, President O! China wants Sleepy Joe BADLY!”
: US Ambassador to China Terry Branstad travels to Tibet for meetings and visits to religious and cultural heritage sites.
: House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence holds a hearing titled: “China’s Digital Authoritarianism: Surveillance, Influence, and Political Control.”
: President Trump issues executive order titled “Executive on Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain.”
: Department of Commerce announces the addition of Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. and its affiliates to the Entity List.
: Congressional Executive Commission on China holds a hearing titled “Hong Kong’s Future in the Balance: Eroding Autonomy and Challenges to Human Rights.”
: Trump releases an eight-part tweetstorm about raising tariffs on China, referencing the steel industry, farmers, his personal friendship with Xi Jinping, and the US Federal Reserve regarding more economic stimulus to match China’s own stimulus plans.
: Trump tweets: “There is no reason for the US Consumer to pay the Tariffs, which take effect on China today. This has been proven recently when only 4 points were paid by the US, 21 points by China because China subsidizes product to such a large degree. Also, the Tariffs can be … completely avoided if you buy from a non-Tariffed Country, or you buy the product inside the USA (the best idea). That’s Zero Tariffs. Many Tariffed companies will be leaving China for Vietnam and other such countries in Asia. That’s why China wants to make a deal so badly!… There will be nobody left in China to do business with. Very bad for China, very good for USA! But China has taken so advantage of the US for so many years, that they are way ahead (Our Presidents did not do the job). Therefore, China should not retaliate-will only get worse!”
: Trump tweets: “I say openly to President Xi & all of my many friends in China that China will be hurt very badly if you don’t make a deal because companies will be forced to leave China for other countries. Too expensive to buy in China. You had a great deal, almost completed, & you backed out!”
: Trump tweets: “The unexpectedly good first quarter 3.2% GDP was greatly helped by Tariffs from China. Some people just don’t get it!”
: Trump tweets: “We are right where we want to be with China. Remember, they broke the deal with us & tried to renegotiate. We will be taking in Tens of Billions of Dollars in Tariffs from China. Buyers of product can make it themselves in the USA (ideal), or buy it from non-Tariffed countries…. We will then spend (match or better) the money that China may no longer be spending with our Great Patriot Farmers (Agriculture), which is a small percentage of total Tariffs received, and distribute the food to starving people in nations around the world! GREAT! #MAGA”
: Trump tweets: “China is DREAMING that Sleepy Joe Biden, or any of the others, gets elected in 2020. They LOVE ripping off America!”
: Trump tweets: “I think that China felt they were being beaten so badly in the recent negotiation that they may as well wait around for the next election, 2020, to see if they could get lucky & have a Democrat win – in which case they would continue to rip-off the USA for $500 Billion a year….”
: Trump tweets: “Over the course of the past two days, the United States and China have held candid and constructive conversations on the status of the trade relationship between both countries. The relationship between President Xi and myself remains a very strong one, and conversations … into the future will continue. In the meantime, the United States has imposed Tariffs on China, which may or may not be removed depending on what happens with respect to future negotiations!”
: House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a hearing titled: Chinese and Russian Influence in the Middle East.
: House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a hearing titled: Dollar Diplomacy or Debt Trap? Examining China’s Role in the Western Hemisphere.
: US Federal Communications Commission votes against China Mobile’s application to provide phone service in the US, citing national security risks.
: Trump tweets: “The reason for the China pullback & attempted renegotiation of the Trade Deal is the sincere HOPE that they will be able to “negotiate” with Joe Biden or one of the very weak Democrats, and thereby continue to ripoff the United States (($500 Billion a year)) for years to come…. Guess what, that’s not going to happen! China has just informed us that they (Vice-Premier) are now coming to the US to make a deal. We’ll see, but I am very happy with over $100 Billion a year in Tariffs filling US coffers…great for US, not good for China! The reality is, with the Tariffs, the economy has grown more rapidly in the United States and much more slowly in China.”
: House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a hearing titled: China’s Growing Influence in Asia and the United States.
: House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs holds a hearing titled: China’s Expanding Influence in Europe and Eurasia.
: Trump tweets: “The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we’re not going to be doing that anymore!”
: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issues statement rejecting China’s application to be a “near-Arctic state,” saying Beijing’s “pattern of aggressive behavior elsewhere should inform what we do and how it might treat the Arctic.”
: USS Preble and the USS Chung-Hoon sail within 12 nm of disputed Gaven and Johnson reefs in the South China Sea.
: Donald Trump tweets: “For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars … of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!”