Trump Calls Tariffs ‘Not Sustainable,’ But ‘Forced’ By Beijing

President Donald Trump has called his administration’s high-tariff policy on China “not sustainable,” a significant admission that he immediately coupled with blaming Beijing, stating “they forced me to do that.”
This rhetoric comes just two weeks before a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump’s admission may create an opening for de-escalation, provided China offers concessions.
The president’s outlook is a mix of hope and suspicion. “I get along great with him [Xi],” Trump said, “I think we’re going to be fine.” Yet, he also stated, “China is always looking for an edge.”
The timing is critical. A 90-day truce that has paused the trade war is set to expire on November 10. The upcoming talks, expected at the APEC summit in South Korea, will determine if the conflict resumes.
Trump continues to demand a “fair deal.” He justified the “unsustainable” tariffs as necessary leverage, arguing that without them, the US would be “exposed as being a nothing.”