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| Trump’s Fiery Rhetoric |
Trump Claims China Broke Trade Agreement, Markets React
On May 30, 2025, President Donald Trump reignited trade tensions by accusing China of completely disregarding a recently signed trade agreement. In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump said that China had failed to uphold its commitments, particularly regarding the suspension of retaliatory tariffs.
The trade pact, negotiated just weeks earlier in Geneva, involved significant tariff reductions by both countries. The U.S. had agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese imports, while China was supposed to reduce tariffs on American goods. Trump now claims that China has backtracked on these promises.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer echoed Trump’s frustrations during an interview with CNBC, describing China’s approach as “slow compliance” and warning that this behavior was unacceptable. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed concern, noting that trade discussions between Washington and Beijing have stalled.
Trump insisted that his decision to engage in talks two weeks ago was motivated by a desire to prevent a full-blown economic collapse in China. He explained that high tariffs had pushed Chinese factories to the brink, creating social and economic instability. Trump said he acted quickly to stabilize the situation, but now believes China has betrayed that goodwill.
Markets responded swiftly to the news, with U.S. stock futures slipping as investors weighed the possibility of renewed trade hostilities. Observers say the fallout could further strain already fragile relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Key Terms
Truth Social: A social media platform launched by Donald Trump, used to communicate directly with supporters and share political commentary.
Retaliatory Tariffs: Tariffs imposed by one country in response to tariffs levied by another, often escalating trade disputes.
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