China, in his words · Second term · № 114

On China

Called China's rare-earth export controls "sinister and hostile" and threatened a 100% tariff

“Some very strange things are happening in China! They are becoming very hostile, and sending letters to Countries throughout the World, that they want to impose Export Controls on each and every element of production having to do with Rare Earths, and virtually anything else they can think of, even if it's not manufactured in China. ... There is no way that China should be allowed to hold the World "captive," but that seems to have been their plan for quite some time, starting with the "Magnets" and, other Elements that they have quietly amassed into somewhat of a Monopoly position, a rather sinister and hostile move, to say the least.”
Said
, Post on Truth Social (@realDonaldTrump)
Subject
rare earth export controls
Threat
Economic threat
Topic
Trade & tariffs
Era
Second term

What the record showed

Later the same day Trump announced a 100 percent additional tariff on Chinese goods and export controls on critical software, both to start November 1, 2025. Two days later he posted, "Don't worry about China, it will all be fine! Highly respected President Xi just had a bad moment." After the October 30 Busan meeting the White House said China would suspend the controls it announced on October 9, and Trump said the overall tariff on Chinese goods had gone from 57 percent to 47 percent. A September 25, 2026 White House fact sheet said the two countries "continue to work on U.S. concerns regarding supply chain shortages related to rare earths and other critical minerals."

Sources

  1. Truth Social Posts of October 10, 2025 The American Presidency Project, Oct 10, 2025
  2. Truth Social Posts of October 12, 2025 The American Presidency Project, Oct 12, 2025
  3. Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters Aboard Air Force One En Route to Anchorage, Alaska The American Presidency Project, Oct 30, 2025
  4. White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strikes Deal on Economic and Trade Relations with China The American Presidency Project, Nov 1, 2025
  5. White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Advances a Fair and Reciprocal Relationship with China While Hosting Historic State Visit The American Presidency Project, Sep 25, 2026