Trump sees long-term gains in China tariffs despite consumer pain

Trump has threatened duties on a further $267 billion of made-in-China goods

The Trump administration said it needs to confront China over its trading practices to defend US long-term interests even as escalating tariffs cause discomfort for American consumers.

Inaction by the US would leave the American economy and consumers worse off over the longer run, a senior administration official told reporters at a briefing on Friday, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

US industry has widely pushed back against the Trump administration’s use of tariffs to force changes to China’s economy, and companies from Walmart Inc. to Gap Inc. and Samsonite International SA have said they’re prepared to raise prices if