US President Donald Trump has remarked that Chinese President Xi Jinping is fully aware of what actions need to be taken amid the ongoing tariff dispute, while also alluding to undisclosed weapons.
On April 9, China declared it would implement an additional 84 percent tariff on all US imports in response to Trump’s 104 percent tariff imposition.
Trump retaliated by further increasing tariffs on Chinese products. He used his platform, Truth Social, to criticize the ‘lack of respect’ from China towards ‘the World’s Markets’ and announced an increase in the tariff to 125 percent, with ‘effective immediately’ implementation.
“At some point, hopefully in the near future, China will realize that the days of ripping off the USA and other Countries, is no longer sustainable or acceptable,” Trump stated.
It seems Trump intends to continue issuing warnings.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump commended Chinese President Xi Jinping, saying: “Xi is a smart guy and we’ll end up making a very good deal. [He is] one of the smartest people in the world.”
Trump went on to mention the ‘weapons that nobody even knows’ about that the US allegedly has, hinting subtly at this capability.
He returned to praising Xi Jinping, concluding: “Xi is a man who knows exactly what has to be done, he loves his country. We will get a phone call at some point and then it’s off to the races.”
These comments add to the tension, much like Trump’s tendency for capital letters in his social media posts.
While Trump engages in a tariff exchange with China, other nations affected by the tariffs might find some respite. The President announced a 90-day suspension on tariffs for countries that have not, and do not intend to, implement retaliatory tariffs like China.
His message on Truth Social continued: “Conversely, and based on the fact that more than 75 Countries have called Representatives of the United States, including the Departments of Commerce, Treasury, and the USTR, to negotiate a solution to the subjects being discussed relative to Trade, Trade Barriers, Tariffs, Currency Manipulation, and Non Monetary Tariffs, and that these Countries have not, at my strong suggestion, retaliated in any way, shape, or form against the United States, I have authorized a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10 percent, also effective immediately.”
There’s a silver lining to this situation, isn’t there?