President Trump charged Monday that the U.S. has had a "stupid" trade relationship with China for years, one that allows China to impose a tariff on U.S. autos that's 10 times bigger than the tariff the U.S. imposes on cars from China.

“When a car is sent to the United States from China, there is a Tariff to be paid of 2 1/2%. When a car is sent to China from the United States, there is a Tariff to be paid of 25%," Trump tweeted Monday morning. "Does that sound like free or fair trade. No, it sounds like STUPID TRADE - going on for years!”



When a car is sent to the United States from China, there is a Tariff to be paid of 2 1/2%. When a car is sent to China from the United States, there is a Tariff to be paid of 25%. Does that sound like free or fair trade. No, it sounds like STUPID TRADE - going on for years! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 9, 2018



Trump has pressed China on trade in the last few weeks, first by hitting steel and aluminum imports with a tariff on imports from China and other countries, and then proposing tariffs on up to $150 billion worth of Chinese goods to protest failure to respect U.S. intellectual property rights.

The president most likely feels inclined to explain the unfair trade practices by China on the U.S. to justify his recent escalation of trade disputes by imposing higher tariffs on Chinese imports, which includes a higher tariff on cars.