President Trump’s rhetoric has not always been conciliatory. During his time as a candidate, Trump vowed to impose 60% tariffs on all imports from China. Upon assuming the role of president-elect, he adjusted his stance, indicating a willingness to increase tariffs on Chinese products by an additional 10% until Beijing takes steps to stem the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. Trump has filled his cabinet with individuals known for their hawkish views on China, such as Marco Rubio, a nominee for secretary of state who is currently under sanctions by the Chinese government, and Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host selected as the nominee for defense secretary, who has warned of China’s ambitions to surpass the US and establish global dominance.
The involvement of Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla, adds a layer of complexity to the US-China relationship. Tesla, a major player in the electric vehicle industry, manufactures over half of its vehicles in China. Musk frequently engages with Chinese officials during his visits to the country, advocating for a mutually beneficial partnership between the two nations, diverging from Trump’s more adversarial stance.
While Musk highlights the potential for collaboration, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized to Trump the inevitability of disagreements between major nations with distinct circumstances, specifically mentioning the sensitive issue of Taiwan. Beijing staunchly considers Taiwan a renegade province that must be reunified with the mainland, emphasizing its readiness to resort to force if necessary.
Trump’s initial support for Taiwan has waned over time. During his presidential campaign, he asserted that the democratic island should increase its financial contributions for US protection and accused it of illicitly acquiring America’s semiconductor industry.
CNN’s Nectar Gan and Steven Jiang assisted in the production of this report. Stay updated with the latest CNN news and newsletters by creating an account on CNN.com.
