US tariff policy seen as 'political theater'

Experts say levies designed for domestic posturing rather than economic reasons

The United States' tariff policy on China, and even on its neighbors Canada and Mexico, has become a form of political theater that experts say is designed primarily for domestic posturing rather than real economic recalibration.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has rolled out sweeping tariffs, starting with a 10 percent duty on all foreign goods. Dozens of countries received a 90-day pause, but tariffs on Chinese imports surged to 125 percent.

On April 11, smartphones and laptops were temporarily exempted. Still, tensions grew as a White House fact sheet noted China now faces tariffs of up to 245 percent.