President Donald Trump has voiced doubts about the long-term sustainability of his own tariff strategy against China, a key tool in his administration’s trade war. “It’s not sustainable,” he said in a recent interview.
He balanced this admission by shifting responsibility to Beijing, claiming “they forced me to do that.” This positions the tariffs as a necessary response to unfair Chinese practices rather than a proactive, long-term economic plan.
The comments come as Trump prepares for a high-stakes meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for two weeks from now. “I get along great with him,” Trump said, expressing hope for a positive outcome while warning that “China is always looking for an edge.”
The two leaders are set to meet at the APEC summit in South Korea, with a major deadline looming. The 90-day truce that has paused the trade war is set to expire on November 10, adding significant pressure to the negotiations.
Last week, the president’s tone was harsher, threatening 100% tariffs by November 1. Now, he emphasizes the need for a “fair deal,” justifying the current trade war as a necessary step to achieve it.