China, in his words · 2024 campaign · № 95
Says China is the boss of the United States
“China is, right now, our boss. They are the boss of the United States, almost like we're a subsidiary of China.”
- Said
- , Interview on CNBC, Squawk Box
- Subject
- economic leverage
- Threat
- Economic threat
- Topic
- Trade & tariffs
- Era
- 2024 campaign
What the record showed
He made the remark while arguing that tariffs give the U.S. power in dealing with other countries. In October 2025, after China announced export controls on rare earths, he threatened to raise tariffs on China by 100%; he dropped the threat after meeting Xi Jinping in Busan on Oct. 30, when China agreed to pause the controls for one year. Before that meeting he called Xi "an old friend," and afterward he rated it a 12 out of 10. In September 2026, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the two countries had agreed to extend their trade truce through Jan. 10.