Trump says ‘don’t worry about China’ after Beijing responds to 100% tariff threat
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering a video speech to the United Nations Climate Summit 2025. ZUMAPRESS.com
President Donald Trump sought to ease concerns of an escalating trade confrontation with Beijing on Sunday, just hours after warning that the United States could impose 100% tariffs on all Chinese imports in response to China’s new export restrictions on rare earth minerals.
The proposed tariffs would represent a sharp increase from the current average rate of about 55%.
In a message on Truth Social, President Trump downplayed the potential for serious fallout and emphasized that the United States wants to maintain a constructive relationship with China.
“Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine!” Trump wrote. “Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment. He doesn’t want depression for his country, and neither do I. The U.S.A. wants to help China, not hurt it!!!”
The post followed an official statement from China’s Commerce Ministry, which warned Washington against “threats” and vowed to “resolutely take corresponding measures” if the new tariffs move forward by the proposed November 1 deadline.
“China’s stance is consistent,” the ministry said Sunday. “We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one.” Beijing urged the United States to resolve differences “through dialogue,” calling tariff threats “not the correct way to get along with China.”
The latest exchanges mark a tense turn in what had been a period of relative calm between the world’s two largest economies. Trump’s warning came after China imposed new curbs on the export of rare earth minerals—materials essential to high-tech manufacturing and military production.
China currently accounts for about 70% of global rare earth mining and nearly 90% of processing capacity.
Vice President JD Vance defended the administration’s stance in an appearance on Fox News, calling Beijing’s dominance in key supply chains “the definition of a national emergency.”
“It’s going to be a delicate dance, and a lot will depend on how the Chinese respond,” Vance said on Sunday Morning Futures. “If they respond in a highly aggressive manner, I guarantee you the President of the United States has far more cards than the People’s Republic of China.”
The dispute also raises uncertainty over a planned meeting between Trump and President Xi later this year.
China’s Commerce Ministry said it would continue to issue export licenses for legitimate civilian use of rare earth materials but warned that “if the U.S. side obstinately insists on its practice,” Beijing would take steps to protect its national interests.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
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