Trump Releases 8 Pointers on 'Non-Tariff Cheating' - Check the Full Details

President Donald Trump published a 'non-tariff cheating' warning on Easter Sunday to his trade partners about non-tariff-related offenses that could affect U.S. relations. The 8-point document contained export subsidies among other points which also included currency manipulation and false branding and transshipment schemes. The announcement about a ninety-day suspension of equal trade tariffs came from Trump shortly before he released the post. On Thursday, the 78-year-old said that his officials are in talks with China on tariffs, and he is confident that a deal will be reached. “Yeah, we're talking to China. I would say they have reached out a number of times,” he told.

Trump’s post stated the following:

NON-TARIFF CHEATING:

1. Currency Manipulation

2. VATs which act as tariffs and export subsidies

3. Dumping Below Cost

4. Export Subsidies and Other Govt. Subsidies

5. Protective Agricultural Standards (e.g., no genetically engineered corn in EU)

6. Protective Technical Standards (Japan’s bowling ball test)

7. Counterfeiting, Piracy, and IP Theft (Over $1 trillion a year)

8. Transshipping to EVADE Tariffs!!!

Trump's post identifies these factors among non-tariff related offenses: Currency manipulation and VATs that function as export subsidies and ‘which act as tariffs and export subsidies’, dumping below cost, export subsidies, other government subsidies, protective agricultural standards, protective technical standards, counterfeiting, piracy and IP theft, and transshipping to evade tariffs. Trump stated in prior statements that international governments artificially weaken their currencies to boost their export sales and decrease U.S. export value. Several nations employ Value-Added Taxes that benefit exports according to Trump although these measures work as secret tariffs which increase exports.

 “It’s the bowling ball test. They take a bowling ball from 20 feet up in the air and drop it on the hood of the car, if the hood dents, the car doesn’t qualify. It’s horrible,” Trump said of Japan.

During 2018 Trump stated that Japan implemented a "bowling ball test" as part of its scheme to prevent US automobile companies from selling vehicles to Japanese customers. The statement received repetition from him during Sunday's announcement. The White House spokeswoman stated at that time his comments were meant as humor.