Key Takeaways
- President Trump adopts a conciliatory tone toward China, calling Xi Jinping “highly respected”
- China warns it will take “resolute measures” if US proceeds with 100% tariff threat
- Tensions center around China’s rare earth export controls and potential US tariff response
- Vice President Vance calls China’s rare earth dominance a “national emergency”
Trump’s Surprising Shift on China
In a notable softening of stance, President Donald Trump described Chinese leader Xi Jinping as “highly respected” and asserted that the United States wants to “help China, not hurt it.” The comments came amid escalating trade tensions over rare earth minerals and potential tariff increases.
“Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment. He doesn’t want Depression for his country, and neither do I.”
Background: Rare Earth Tensions
This diplomatic shift follows Trump’s recent accusations that China took “sinister and hostile” action through sweeping export controls on rare earth elements. The President had previously warned of “massive tariff increases” on Chinese goods and accused Beijing of attempting to “hold the world captive.”
China controls approximately 70% of global rare earth mining and 90% of processing capacity. These minerals are essential for manufacturing smartphones, electric vehicles, jet engines, and radar systems.
China’s Firm Response
Beijing responded firmly to Trump’s tariff threats, with the commerce ministry urging Washington to “promptly correct its wrong practices.” The official statement emphasized: “We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one.”
Chinese officials clarified that their export controls don’t constitute outright bans, noting that licenses would be available for civilian and humanitarian purposes including medical assistance and disaster relief.
Vance Defends Administration Stance
Vice President JD Vance characterized China’s control over critical mineral supplies as “the definition of a national emergency” during a Fox News appearance. He defended the administration’s approach as necessary for achieving American self-sufficiency.
“It’s going to be a delicate dance,” Vance acknowledged, while maintaining that Trump “has far more cards than the People’s Republic of China.” He left room for negotiation, stating: “If they’re willing to be reasonable, then Donald Trump is always willing to be a reasonable negotiator.”
