Asia

“The president has said 'You know, if you make a good deal or good progress on a deal, maybe he'll be flexible on the tariffs.' On the other hand, if there's no progress on the deal, maybe they'll get worse.”

Trump: “It’s called 'currency manipulation.' ... This is a major violation which will greatly weaken China over time!”

“If you look at the Democratic debates and what people are saying about China, if anything, they are just as tough or tougher. I don’t think it makes sense to try to wait out the administration.”

As it works on a potential trade deal with Japan, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is eyeing provisions in trade law allowing for unilateral tariff changes that do not require congressional approval, according to sources familiar with the talks.

“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!”

“Trade disputes may be symptoms of deeper frustration with gaps in the rules-based multilateral trading system. Policymakers should cooperatively address these gaps.”

“I plan to explain to all those involved that Japan's measure affects the global economy, with implications for all products that use semiconductors.”

“Having a great trading relationship has so much to do with peace and extremism in this case. I expect that we will, within a very short period of time, start having very significant trade with Pakistan.”

“The fundamental question now though is, ‘Will they go back to the point where we were before they changed their mind and backtracked on some of the understandings that had been reached?’”