Trump accuses China of trying to "impact" elections

US President Donald Trump accused China Tuesday of trying to "impact" the upcoming midterm elections and warned that there will be "great and fast" economic retaliation against China if his political support base is "targeted." In a tweet, Trump said "China has openly stated that they are actively trying to impact and change our election by attacking our farmers, ranchers and industrial workers because of their loyalty to me." He added "what China does not understand is that these people are great patriots and fully understand that." "China has been taking advantage of the United States on Trade for many years. They also know that I am the one that knows how to stop it," he stressed.

Trump warned "there will be great and fast economic retaliation against China if our farmers, ranchers and/or industrial workers are targeted!" On Monday, Trump imposed additional tariffs on roughly USD 200 billion of imports from China, which will take effect on September 24 and be set at a level of 10 percent until the end of the year.

He also warned that "if China takes retaliatory action against our farmers or other industries, we will immediately pursue phase three, which is tariffs on approximately USD 267 billion of additional imports."