President Donald Trump discusses China during a preview of his exclusive interview with “Mornings with Maria” host Maria Bartiromo.
President Donald Trump said tariffs totaling 157% on Chinese imports are “not sustainable” as he prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming weeks.
“It’s probably not, you know, it could hold up. But they forced me to do it.”
Trump said he had raised tariffs to 100% on top of existing duties after Beijing tightened export controls on rare earth minerals – a move he described as retaliation for economic pressure from China.
TRUMP ANNOUNCES 100% EXTRA RATE FOR CHINA FROM NOVEMBER
President Donald Trump said he was “forced” to raise tariffs on China after Beijing tightened its control over rare earth exports. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images/Getty Images)
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have increased after the United States announced plans earlier this week to double tariffs on certain Chinese goods, with the hikes set to take effect in November.
TRUMP CALLS CHINA SOY DECISIONS ‘ECONOMICALLY HOSTILE’ ACT AGAINST US FARMERS NATIONAL
“I’ve always had a good relationship with them, as you know, but they’re always looking for an edge,” Trump said, adding that China “has defrauded our country for years.”
SECRETARY OF THE Treasury BESSENT ACCUSES CHINA OF ‘FINANCING WAR’ AS US-China TRADE TENSION ESCALATES
“I will tell you that China in particular, boy, has made a number of attacks on our country. They have taken money out of it. Now it’s the other way around,” he said, optimistic about the future of US-China trade relations.
“I think we’re going to do well with China. I get along with him very well. He’s a very strong leader, a very, you know, great man,” Trump said of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
‘But we have to make a fair deal. It has to be fair.’
Trump announced that he and Xi will meet in South Korea “in a few weeks.”
President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in South Korea for high-level discussions in the coming weeks. (Tingshu Wang/Pool/Getty Images / Getty Images)
