Trump Says 100% Tariffs on China Not Sustainable, Confirms Xi Meeting/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump acknowledged his proposed 100% tariffs on Chinese imports are not sustainable but defended them as a necessary response to China’s export restrictions on rare earths. He confirmed plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea within two weeks. The softer tone eased market jitters and revived hopes for progress in U.S.-China trade talks.
Keyphrase + Quick Looks: Trump China Tariff Talks Quick Looks
- Trump says 100% tariffs on China “not sustainable”
- Blames Beijing for stalled trade talks over rare earth controls
- Confirms upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping
- New U.S. software export controls to take effect Nov. 1
- Wall Street steadies after Trump’s softened tone on China
- Treasury Secretary Bessent, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to speak Friday
- Tensions remain after previous diplomatic clashes
Deep Look
Trump Acknowledges Tariff Limitations but Confirms Xi Meeting Amid China Trade Standoff
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that his proposed 100% tariff on Chinese goods is “not sustainable”, but defended the move as a forced response to China’s tightening of rare earth export controls, which have added new strain to U.S.-China trade relations.
Speaking in an interview with Fox Business Network, Trump said,
“It’s not sustainable, but that’s what the number is. They forced me to do that.”
The president’s comments come just a week after he announced sweeping 100% levies on all Chinese imports, as well as new export controls on U.S.-made critical software, set to take effect November 1 — just days before the expiration of current tariff relief.
Trade Escalation Stems from Rare Earth Dispute
The renewed trade friction began when Chinese authorities expanded restrictions on rare earth exports, critical materials that China dominates and which are essential in manufacturing electronics, semiconductors, and military technologies. The U.S. saw the move as a direct threat to global tech supply chains and responded with aggressive tariff increases.
Trump’s reimposed tariffs sent a jolt through global markets and raised fears of a renewed trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump to Meet Xi Jinping in South Korea
In a notable reversal from last week’s uncertainty, Trump confirmed he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks at an upcoming international summit in South Korea.
“I think we’re going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It’s got to be fair,” Trump said during the taped interview for FBN’s “Mornings with Maria.”
Despite ongoing disputes, Trump expressed respect for Xi, indicating that a more constructive phase in negotiations could be possible.
Markets React to Softer Tone
Trump’s latest comments — particularly his acknowledgment that the tariffs are not a long-term solution — helped ease pressure on Wall Street, where investors have been rattled by a week of sharp volatility.
Major U.S. indexes saw modest early gains Friday after the president’s statements, as well as the announcement of a high-level U.S.-China call later in the day.
Treasury Officials to Speak with Chinese Counterparts
In a further sign that diplomacy is still in motion, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to speak with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng Friday to continue discussions on trade negotiations, according to CNBC. The timing of the call was not disclosed, and the U.S. Treasury Department declined to comment.
Tensions between trade delegations remain high, however. Earlier this week, Bessent accused one of He’s top aides of being “unhinged” during recent talks — a remark Beijing has strongly rejected.
Looking Ahead: Tariffs, Talks, and Tech
While Trump’s language has softened, the looming implementation of software export controls and full-scale tariffs indicates that significant hurdles remain in reaching a long-term agreement.
If no breakthroughs occur before the November 1 deadline, U.S. tech companies could face new disruptions in access to Chinese markets, while Chinese exporters could suffer from a collapsed U.S. demand base.
Still, the confirmation of a Trump-Xi summit and ongoing dialogue between financial leaders has injected cautious optimism into both political and financial spheres.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.