Oct 19, 2025 - Economy

"I'm not looking to destroy China," Trump says, defending trade war

Ben Berkowitz

President Trump, seen from a low angle looking up, gestures while speaking to a microphone. — Trump addresses reporters at a Florida airport. Photo: Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Trump insisted Sunday he wasn't out to destroy China, even as he defended waging a trade war against the world's second-largest economy.

The big picture: The last 10 days have been a series of escalations and de-escalations, as Trump threatened higher tariffs and top aides questioned China's trustworthiness, only for the president to then praise Chinese leader Xi Jinping and promise things would work out in the end.

The whipsaw has left financial markets on edge, fearful of a reprise of the worst days of early April, and the prospect of an escalating trade war that endangers crucial rare earth minerals, farm exports and more.

What they're saying: "I'm not looking to destroy China," Trump said in an interview with Fox News' "Sunday Morning Futures."

"China has built their military because of us. China has taken out trillions and trillions of dollars," Trump said.
"Now they've forced me to charge them what is the equivalent of 155 to 157%."

Yes, but: Trump was quick to make clear the door remains wide open to some kind of deal.

"They have a very smart leader. And I think they have a leader that wants to make a deal, because I think that's smart, and he's smart. So we'll see what happens. I'm meeting with him in two weeks, we're going to see what happens," Trump said.

What to watch: Whether the rhetoric cools or not.

On Friday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would meet in person this coming week with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng to continue trade talks.
All eyes will be on the prospect of a Trump-Xi summit, and whether it actually goes ahead.

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"I'm not looking to destroy China," Trump says, defending trade war

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