Artnet: Eileen Kinsella
“Stupid,” counterproductive,” “senseless,” and “detrimental.”
These are a few of the descriptors being thrown around by art dealers and experts in response to the Trump administration’s decision to add art and antiques to the lengthy list of Chinese products it plans to hit with a 25 percent import tariff. The new tax—on art and hundreds of other products— could become effective as soon as August 23.
A few days ago, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer added categories covering paintings, sculpture, collage, ceramics, and antiques (objects more than 100 years old) to a list of targeted products with a total value of about $200 billion. Lighthizer did so at the request of President Trump as part of an ongoing effort to fight back against what administration officials say are China’s unfair trade practices. …Read More
Pictured: A vendor picks up a 100 yuan note at a news stand in Beijing | Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images