President Trump posted a statement on Sunday that hinted at a possible de-escalation of trade tensions between the US and China, while at the same time issuing a veiled threat to China’s President Xi Jinping.
“Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine! Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment. He doesn’t want Depression for his country, and neither do I. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!” he wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s comments followed Vice President JD Vance who called on Beijing to “choose the path of reason” as trade tensions escalate.
The Trump administration now appear to be sending a message of openness to China in a bid to squash rising trade tensions between the two nations.
Trump ratcheted up tariff and trade tensions with Beijing on Friday. In a post on Truth Social, the president said the US would impose an additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods starting on Nov. 1, 2025.
The president said the move was prompted by China taking an “extraordinarily aggressive” position on trade by announcing new export controls that would take effect next month. Trump claimed the curbs affect more countries than just the US, calling them a “moral disgrace in dealing with other nations.”
The president added that the timeline of the 100% tariff could be moved up based on China’s response. He also said export controls targeting China’s access to “critical software” would go into effect on the same day in November.
Earlier Friday, Trump had threatened a “massive increase” in duties on Chinese goods and suggesting he would scrap a planned meeting later this month with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Trump accused China of becoming “very hostile,” pointing to curbs it took this week on exports of rare earth minerals. As part of the trade dispute, China also slapped new port fees on US ships and launched an antitrust investigation into US-based Qualcomm (QCOM). Beijing has also halted purchases of US soybeans, scrambling business plans for US farmers.
US stocks slid on Friday after Trump threatened the tariff increase.
US tariffs on China of nearly 145% in some cases are on hold until Nov. 10 while the two countries made progress on a larger trade deal. Chinese tariffs on US goods ballooned to 125% before the pause.
Here’s what else to know on Trump’s tariffs:
-
Early next month, the US Supreme Court is set to hear a challenge to Trump’s most sweeping tariffs — the “reciprocal” country-by-country duties that you can see in the graphic above. A ruling against the tariffs — which would be in line with lower-court decisions — could have significant ramifications for Trump’s tariff strategy and the revenue the US has collected so far from the duties.
-
New duties on kitchen cabinets and vanities took effect Oct. 1.
-
Tariffs on timber and certain wood products (like furniture) will take effect Oct. 14.
-
A US pause on tariffs on goods from Mexico is also set to end early next month.
