Analysis: China says escalation is just a ‘numbers game’ – but this moment still feels perilous
By Helen-Ann Smith, Asia correspondent
China’s most recent retaliation raises the stakes, but it does so within what are now relatively predictable parameters.
The latest tariff hike follows the pattern we have seen throughout the week, when Chinese retaliation has exactly matched what Donald Trump has done.
There is, however, one key difference to the announcement this time.
China has said that anything further is just a “numbers game” and they will simply ignore any subsequent raises from Trump.
There’s a sense they are calling time on what has felt like a relentless tit-for-tat escalation.
They are right, of course.
