Trump Says China Violated Trade Deal Terms, Drops ‘Mr. Nice Guy’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump accused China of violating a recent 90-day trade agreement, reigniting tensions despite a temporary tariff reduction. While he offered no specific details, the accusation sharply contrasted with prior optimism following lowered tariffs. The White House is expected to reassess its stance ahead of the truce’s August expiration.
China Trade Deal Fallout: Quick Looks
- Trump accuses China of breaching the May 12 truce, calling out a “total violation” of terms.
- Tariff pause deal lowered U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30% for 90 days.
- Trump posted on Truth Social, declaring he will “no longer be Mr. NICE GUY” on trade.
- No details were offered on how China violated the agreement.
- Talks had recently stalled, according to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
- Trump had praised the deal earlier, saying it had “quickly stabilized” the U.S. economy.
- Stock markets dropped after Trump’s post, with S&P 500 futures falling 0.5%.
- Tariffs are under legal scrutiny, with a federal court ruling many unlawful.
- The agreement is set to expire on August 12, pending further negotiations or actions.
- Trump to appear with Elon Musk at White House, as Musk exits the administration.
Deep Look: Trump Accuses China of Violating Tariff Deal, Signals Harder Line
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has reignited tensions with Beijing by publicly accusing China of violating a recently signed 90-day trade truce, just weeks after the two nations agreed to reduce tariffs to allow time for negotiations.
Trump’s accusations, posted on Truth Social early Friday, marked a sharp shift from the optimism he expressed earlier this month, when the U.S. agreed to lower its sweeping 145% tariffs on Chinese goods to 30% during a 90-day negotiation window that began May 12. The agreement followed talks in Switzerland aimed at de-escalating the ongoing trade conflict.
Trump Turns Up the Heat
Initially touting the tariff reduction as a win for U.S. markets and consumers, Trump declared on social media that “everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual.” But his tone took a dramatic turn:
“The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” Trump wrote. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”
The post sent a ripple through financial markets. S&P 500 futures, which had been steady, fell 0.5%, threatening to reverse a rally that saw the index climb nearly 5% since the tariff rollback was announced.
No Details, Big Implications
Despite the high-stakes accusation, Trump did not specify how China violated the agreement. Neither the White House nor the Commerce Department provided clarification, and China’s embassy in Washington declined to comment.
The vague allegation, coupled with deteriorating talks — which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described Thursday night as “a bit stalled” — has raised questions about the durability of the temporary truce. The tariff suspension is scheduled to remain in place until August 12, unless terminated early.
Court Ruling Adds to Trade Chaos
Complicating matters, a federal court ruled earlier this week that most of Trump’s tariffs were unlawful, including duties on imports from China, Canada, and more than 50 other countries. That ruling has been stayed pending appeal, but it casts a long shadow over Trump’s trade agenda.
Administration officials maintain they’ll find alternative legal routes to impose tariffs if the court ultimately upholds the decision. For now, the legality — and stability — of U.S.-China trade policy remains murky.
Political Drama Meets Economic Pressure
The timing of Trump’s post appeared strategic, following rising criticism that he had gone too soft on China and amid internal frustration that talks have delivered few concrete wins. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, the President may be looking to reassert his tough-on-China persona.
Meanwhile, the administration is navigating internal transitions, including the departure of Elon Musk from his advisory role. Trump, who had remained quiet on Musk’s resignation, praised him Thursday and announced that the two will appear together at the White House on Friday.
“This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way,” Trump wrote. “Elon is terrific!”
What Happens Next
With the tariff truce technically still in place, Trump has several options: reimpose harsher tariffs, launch new duties under alternative laws, or leverage the legal uncertainty to renegotiate from a position of strength. Analysts expect market volatility and diplomatic strain to increase in the short term.
“This kind of uncertainty is exactly what business leaders hate,” said global trade analyst Erin Chow. “Nobody knows if this deal is real, enforceable, or already dead.”
As August 12 approaches, the White House faces pressure from both political allies and economic stakeholders to define its next move — and clarify whether China’s supposed violation is substantive or rhetorical.
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