On Tuesday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of increasing tensions with the People's Republic of China over trade tariffs, with multiple reports of harassment of U.S. citizens in the country.
As of the time of this report's preparation, US tariffs on Chinese imports are now at least 145%, which, if not negotiated down, will be devastating. While the PRC government has yet to publicly address the impact of the tariffs on businesses, there are numerous reports in online forums and social media platforms that Chinese manufacturers are already shutting down factories, potentially leading to hundreds of thousands of jobs lost. A protracted trade dispute would be much worse.
Readers are reminded that in November 2024, the State Department issued a Travel Advisory urging increased caution when traveling to Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans on U.S. citizens. Quoting from that advisory:
"Foreigners in the People's Republic of China (PRC), including but not limited to businesspeople, former foreign-government personnel, academics, and journalists have been interrogated and detained by PRC officials for alleged violations of national security laws. The PRC has also interrogated, detained, and expelled U.S. citizens living and working in the PRC."
"U.S. citizens traveling or residing in the PRC may be detained without access to U.S. consular services or information about their alleged crime. U.S. citizens in the PRC may be subjected to interrogations and detention without fair and transparent treatment under the law."
"PRC authorities have broad discretion to deem a wide range of documents, data, statistics, or materials as state secrets and to detain and prosecute foreign nationals for alleged espionage. There is increased official scrutiny of U.S. and third-country firms, such as professional service and due diligence companies, operating in the PRC. Security personnel could detain U.S. citizens or subject them to prosecution for conducting research or accessing publicly available material inside the PRC."
Further:
"Security personnel could detain and/or deport U.S. citizens for sending private electronic messages critical of the PRC, Hong Kong, or Macau governments."
And all this was before the kickoff of the trade dispute.
On Tuesday, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian stated the following regarding the new tariffs:
"We will not let anyone take away the Chinese people’s legitimate right to development. We will not tolerate any attempt to harm China’s sovereignty, security, and development interests. We will continue to take resolute and strong measures to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests."
US citizens planning travel to China, Hong Kong or Macau are strongly encouraged to read the full State Department Travel Advisory and China Country Page before their trip.
CANADA
Canadian leaders have publicly expressed significant frustration with the U.S. tariffs, particularly the 25% levy on non-USMCA-qualifying goods. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre’s description of the tariffs as a “stab in the back” to “America’s best friend” reflects a sense of betrayal which has echoed across Canada’s political spectrum and into the general populace.
Canadian media outlets, like the CBC, have highlighted the economic threat to Canadian jobs and industries, fostering resentment among some Canadians.
Driving the point home, this week General Motors announced it will temporarily halt production at a factory in Ontario that makes commercial vans, with the plant eventually closing later in the year. This is the second Canadian assembly plant to shut this month.
MEXICO
In Mexico, President Claudia Sheinbaum’s sharp rebuke of U.S. claims about Mexico’s inaction on drug cartels as “offensive” signals a defensive posture. Her administration’s push for retaliatory tariffs and non-tariff measures suggests a willingness to confront the U.S., which resonates well with nationalist sentiments.
Mexican media and social media posts also indicate growing frustration, with some users framing the tariffs as an attack on Mexico’s sovereignty. Phrases like “gringo arrogance” have surfaced in online discussions, pointing to irritation with perceived U.S. heavy-handedness. Economic concerns, such as potential job losses in the auto industry, likely fuel this sentiment.
Here again, AlertsUSA urges caution and a low profile when beyond U.S. borders.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the national and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of any new alerts, warnings, or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant. |
