The US-China trade war, which saw import taxes threaten to hit a staggering 145%, has been paused by a 90-day truce. Now, President Donald Trump is admitting the strain of that policy, calling the tariffs “not sustainable.”
This truce is set to expire on November 10, adding urgency to a newly confirmed meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit is scheduled for two weeks from now.
In an interview, Trump was candid about the tariffs’ viability: “It’s not sustainable.” He immediately pivoted to blaming China, claiming, “they forced me to do that.”
This admission could signal an off-ramp for the administration. Trump expressed hope, saying “I think we’re going to be fine,” but also wariness, noting “China is always looking for an edge.”
The president’s ultimate goal remains a “fair deal.” He continues to defend the tariffs, despite their flaws, as necessary leverage, stating the US would be “a nothing” without them.