President Donald Trump "sold out" America for "a temporary and unreliable promise from China to purchase some soybeans" after the president announced a "phase one" trade deal with Beijing, said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.
"Once again, President Trump cannot be relied upon to the do the right thing for American workers and businesses," Schumer said on Twitter.
The minority leader, who has long called for a tougher stance on China and has praised Trump for his stronger dealings, further attacked the president in a statement.
"There are huge structural inequities, structural and unfair imbalances, with China's trade relationships with the U.S.," Schumer said.
"At first, President Trump seemed like the only president who would dare tackle this challenge; but now, according to reports, he has sold out for a temporary and unreliable promise from China to purchase some soybeans.
"We've heard this song and dance from China before," Schumer said.
President Trump said Friday the U.S. has canceled plans to impose new tariffs on $160 billion in Chinese imports Sunday in exchange for Beijing spending $50 billion in farm purchases.
Under the "phase one" deal, the administration also would cut existing import taxes on about $112 billion in Chinese goods, from 15% to 7.5%.
The deal was also bashed by other Democrats, including Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who called it a "capitulation."
"The deal Trump just announced with China is the exact outcome we feared," Murphy said in a statement. "Trump single-handedly took down the U.S. economy with tariffs that killed 300,000 jobs, and this deal doesn't commit China to any serious structural reforms.
"What on earth did Trump put us through this economic hell for?
"This is classic Donald Trump — escalating a crisis for show and ratcheting it down with no wins for the U.S. when it's politically expedient," Murphy continued. "This is what he always does, and it's American families who pay the price."
But Republicans praised President Trump for persistence in holding Beijing accountable on trade.
"China has been a bad actor for years, and this president has consistently stood up to their harmful trade tactics and worked to get a good deal in place, one that will especially benefit Iowa agriculture," Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said in a statement.
"I'm grateful to President Trump and his administration for their commitment to securing a phase one deal," she added. "It's time for China to follow through."
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he was "cautiously optimistic that the suspension of Sunday's planned tariff hikes and reduction on existing tariffs will provide needed stability for our economy, especially our businesses and agricultural producers in Texas.
"I commend President Trump and [U.S. Trade Representative Robert] Lighthizer for their determination to level the playing field in our trade relationship with China," Cornyn added. "I look forward to reviewing the details once they are made available."
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