China, in his words · 2024 campaign · № 100
Says the U.S. had deficits of up to $800 billion with China and now has its highest ever
“We had five, six, seven -- 800 billion deficit with China, just alone with China. And today, it was announced. We have the highest deficit we've ever had, almost $2 trillion. Think of that. We have almost two -- and we have the highest deficit we've ever had with -- with China, and that won't last long.”
- Said
- , Speech at the Detroit Economic Club, Detroit, Michigan
- Subject
- trade deficit
- Threat
- Economic threat
- Topic
- Trade & tariffs
- Era
- 2024 campaign
What the record showed
Census Bureau data show the annual U.S. goods trade deficit with China peaked at $418.2 billion in 2018. It was $279.6 billion in 2023 and $297.0 billion in 2024, the year of the speech. In the same speech he called China "the biggest abuser" on trade and also said, "I think we'll get along with China." The deficit was $202.7 billion in 2025, and $91.2 billion for the first seven months of 2026.