President Donald Trump on Monday defended his administration's sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports, dismissing warnings of consumer cost increases and suggesting that Beijing would absorb the impact. In a sharp response, China released a confrontational video accusing the U.S. of global economic bullying and vowing not to yield under pressure.
Asked about the economic fallout of the 145% tariffs in an interview with ABC News, Trump said, "China probably will eat those tariffs." When ABC's Terry Moran described the measures as "basically an embargo," Trump replied, "That's good. They deserve it."
The former president, who has made protectionist trade policy central to his economic agenda, brushed aside economic forecasts that the tariffs could raise prices on a broad range of imported goods. "You don't know that. You don't know whether or not China's going to eat it," Trump said. "At 145 they basically can't do much business with the United States."
Economists have warned that tariffs at this level could sharply increase costs on consumer products such as electronics, clothing, and homebuilding materials. Analysts also flagged the lack of active bilateral negotiations between the two countries. Despite Trump's claim that communication is ongoing, Chinese officials have repeatedly denied that formal talks are underway.
In a show of defiance, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted a stylized English-language video across social media platforms that criticized the U.S. for using economic coercion against foreign nations. "Bowing to a bully is like drinking poison to quench thirst - it only deepens the crisis," the narrator declared. "China won't kneel down."
The video accused the United States of historical economic sabotage, citing actions against companies such as Toshiba and Alstom and alleging Washington forced Japan into decades of stagnation. China characterized itself as a reliable free-trade partner and called on other nations to "stand tall" against what it described as America's hegemonic tactics.
"Someone has to step forward, torch in hand to shatter the fog and illuminate the path ahead," the narrator said. "China will stand firm, no matter how hard the wind blows."
The video did not specifically mention the current 145% tariffs or China's retaliatory 125% duties on U.S. goods but painted a broader narrative of American unreliability. "The US is just a small, stranded boat," the video stated. "Make no mistake, the US will keep flip-flopping and playing hardball."
While Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has acknowledged that tariffs of this magnitude are "unsustainable," he told reporters this week that the U.S. has paused "reciprocal tariffs" on dozens of other countries during a 90-day negotiation window. Talks are reportedly underway with 17 countries, though no such process has been confirmed with China.
Trump reiterated his hardline stance in the interview, linking trade to national strength and continuing to frame tariffs as a necessary tool. "When you say I'm treating people rough, I'm not treating people rough," he said. "I was treated worse than any president in the history of our country."
As the trade rhetoric intensifies, China's message to the world remains clear. "We know standing up for ourselves keeps the possibility of cooperation alive," the narrator said. "China won't back down so the voices of the weak will be heard, bullying will be stopped, and justice will not disappear from the world."
