Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump has once again turned up the heat on Beijing, warning that America has the power to “destroy China” if its interests are threatened. Speaking after a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung at the White House on Monday, Trump issued a stark warning that could reshape the already fragile trade negotiations between the two global powers.
Trump suggested that while China holds some cards in the trade dispute, Washington has “far stronger ones.” He hinted that if those cards were played, it would be catastrophic for Beijing. “They (China) have a few cards, but we have incredible cards too. I don’t want to play those cards. If I do, China will be destroyed,” Trump said, while also stressing that he preferred maintaining good relations with Beijing.
The U.S. President’s warning comes against the backdrop of growing tensions over rare-earth minerals—specifically magnets—where China dominates the global market. According to CNBC, Beijing controls nearly 90% of global supply, giving it significant leverage. Trump fears that China could weaponize its near-monopoly by restricting exports of these minerals, which are crucial for U.S. industries.
“If they stop giving us magnets, we’ll impose a 200% tariff,” Trump declared. He further claimed that Washington had retaliatory leverage of its own, pointing to America’s aerospace industry. According to Trump, the U.S. previously halted Boeing aircraft parts shipments to China, grounding around 200 Chinese planes.
Recent U.S. government data revealed a dramatic swing in Chinese rare-earth exports to America. After restrictions earlier this year, shipments surged 660% in June and rose an additional 76% in July. This shift comes as trade talks are expected to resume, with a Chinese delegation likely visiting Washington later this week, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Analysts suggest Trump’s aggressive rhetoric is aimed at pressuring Beijing ahead of these high-stakes negotiations. By combining threats of massive tariffs with warnings of economic “destruction,” Trump appears to be positioning the U.S. as ready for a full-scale trade war—while still leaving the door open for a potential deal
