China Issues Travel Warning For US
China's tourism ministry has issued a new "risk alert" about the U.S. to Chinese travelers amid the trade war with President Donald Trump.
"Recently, due to the deterioration of China-US economic and trade relations and the domestic security situation in the United States, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism reminds Chinese tourists to fully assess the risks of traveling to the United States and be cautious," the ministry said in its alert on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, China's Ministry of Education has issued a warning for students considering studying in the U.S.
The new advisory comes after the state of Ohio passed the Higher Education Act, which includes provisions negatively impacting Chinese-American academic exchanges. The Ministry urges Chinese nationals to carefully assess safety risks and increase their awareness of potential challenges when selecting U.S. states, particularly those affected by the new restrictions.
The ministry's alert, issued on Wednesday, highlights concerns over the worsening China-U.S. economic and trade relations, as well as the domestic security situation in the U.S. It advises Chinese tourists to carefully evaluate the risks of traveling to the U.S. and exercise caution.
The move follows steep declines in global markets, driven by growing concerns that the trade war could cause widespread economic damage well beyond the U.S. and China.
In April, President Trump imposed tariffs on numerous American trading partners, prompting many to retaliate with their own measures.
The updated travel guidance by China comes as Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Germany, France and the U.K. have all issued new travel guidance for those wishing to travel to the U.S. in response to President Trump's crackdown on immigration and trans rights.
Beijing's motivation is centered around the opening rounds of a renewed trade war with the U.S.
China announced it will raise tariffs on U.S. imports to 84 percent in response to President Donald Trump's latest tariff hike on Chinese goods, adding 50 percent to the previous rate of 34 percent, after Trump's increase to 104 percent as of Wednesday.
Trump's "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of countries went into effect on Wednesday.
These new duties, announced on April 2 during a speech from the White House Rose Garden, are in addition to the 10 percent tariff the president imposed on all global imports starting on April 5.
The administration claims the measure will address long-standing global trade imbalances that have hurt the U.S. and encourage companies to move their manufacturing operations to the country.
President Trump said in a speech to the NRCC on Tuesday night: "After all of the abuses they've perpetrated, China is attempting to impose additional unjustified tariffs...That's why additional tariffs on Chinese goods are in place, effective midnight tonight, at 104 percent.
"Until they make a deal with us, that's what it's going to be. I think they'll make a deal with us at some point. China will. They want to make a deal, they really do...they just don't know how to get it started."
"The U.S. escalation of tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake, which seriously infringes on China's legitimate rights and interests and seriously undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system," China's finance ministry said in a statement.
There are no indications that the U.S.-China trade dispute will deescalate anytime soon, with both sides maintaining a firm stance.
