Donald Trump has made his fair share of enemies. But he’s got them cornered.
And President Trump’s about to play an ace up his sleeve that has his top enemy quaking in fear.
<3h>Trump’s Master Plan to Bring China to the Negotiating Table
President Donald Trump is playing a high-stakes game of economic chess with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and the world is watching. The Trump administration is rolling out an ambitious strategy to pressure China into trade negotiations by forging tariff deals with its neighbors and beyond, aiming to isolate Beijing and force Xi to pick up the phone.
At the heart of this strategy is a calculated effort to encircle China economically. By striking trade agreements with Asian nations and other global partners, the White House intends to disrupt China’s supply chains and weaken its economic leverage. A White House official confirmed that this tactic is designed to make China feel the squeeze as its trading partners align with the U.S. “Once you see a lot of countries — not just in southeast Asia or Asia, but all over — you’ll see that they’re willing to make deals with America, and that exerts pressure on China to hopefully come to the table,” the official said. “Because China’s economy is reliant on a lot of these other countries around the world, I think once people see, hopefully, deals being struck with these countries, that exerts pressure on China.”
The administration’s confidence stems from a wave of companies relocating manufacturing to the U.S., spurred by Trump’s sectoral tariff policies. These moves signal a manufacturing renaissance that could reduce America’s reliance on Chinese goods. The White House sees this as a cornerstone of its plan, with the official noting that such shifts, combined with global trade deals, could corner China into negotiations. The goal is clear: make China’s isolation so palpable that Xi has no choice but to engage.
Yet, even among Trump’s supporters, there’s skepticism about whether this strategy will deliver. Some question whether cutting deals with other nations aligns with the America First ethos, which prioritizes U.S. manufacturing over global free trade. “The tough balance is the fact that we get money because of tariffs, but we want to pick and choose which countries to have free trade with. We want to appear to be going towards free trade but we also love the revenue from tariffs,” a second White House official admitted. This tension reveals the complexity of Trump’s approach, which blends protectionism with selective global engagement.
China, for its part, is no passive player. Beijing has been bracing for another trade war, implementing retaliatory tariffs and bureaucratic hurdles to counter U.S. pressure. With a 125 percent tariff on American goods and restrictions on agricultural and energy imports, China is hitting back hard. A travel advisory discouraging Chinese tourists from visiting the U.S. and a halt on Boeing aircraft deliveries further escalate the economic standoff. These moves show Xi’s willingness to endure short-term pain to maintain China’s global standing.
Trump’s allies acknowledge China’s resilience, noting that its authoritarian system allows Xi to rally citizens around national pride more effectively than a democratic U.S. can. “In today’s China, strategic decisions are first of all of course made by one man, by Chinese President Xi Jinping,” said Henrietta Levin, former deputy China director at the State Department. “He cares about his own political dignity and national greatness in a way that overshadows more tactical considerations.” This dynamic poses a unique challenge for Trump, who must navigate a fractious domestic audience while projecting strength abroad.
The administration’s strategy hinges on speed, but time may not be on Trump’s side. Deals with Asian allies like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia could take months to materialize, and jittery bond markets may not wait. “If you’re Vietnam or Cambodia or Malaysia you have to recognize that we’re in a heavyweight battle now between China and the United States and Trump is probably not going to back down,” said Thomas Duesterberg, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. Yet, he cautioned, these nations must also grapple with China’s overproduction-driven economy, which remains a formidable force.
The administration’s initial salvo—a 145 percent tariff on Chinese imports—has so far failed to budge Beijing. China’s retaliatory measures have matched Trump’s escalation, raising doubts about whether tariffs alone can force Xi’s hand. Harry Broadman, a former assistant U.S. trade representative, suggested Trump could deploy non-tariff measures, such as import quotas on Chinese steel or stricter safety standards for Chinese products. However, Beijing’s defiance suggests these tactics may also fall short.
China has raised their tariffs on US goods from 84% to 125% as President Trump has raised tariffs on China goods to 145%.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping says, “There are no winners in a tariff war.”
This is a lie, the US standing up for itself is already a win. pic.twitter.com/YeNxYXEH4P
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 11, 2025
Global dynamics further complicate Trump’s gambit. China is capitalizing on international frustration with U.S. tariffs to strengthen ties with Europe and East Asia. Xi’s recent cooperation agreements with Vietnam and upcoming visits to Malaysia and Cambodia signal Beijing’s proactive diplomacy. Meanwhile, Japanese officials are meeting U.S. trade negotiators, hinting at a delicate balancing act among Asian nations caught between two superpowers.
The administration’s domestic challenges add another layer of complexity. Unlike Xi, Trump cannot simply demand public sacrifice for long-term gains. The decision to exempt consumer electronics from tariffs and Trump’s promise of relief for farmers on Truth Social show a pragmatic streak. “The strategy is the classic Trump playbook — use leverage, be tough, go to the mat, don’t blink,” a former Trump official said. “Although he blinked already, which really does harm his credibility on these things.” This perception of wavering could undermine Trump’s negotiating leverage.
Critics like Derek Scissors of the American Enterprise Institute argue Trump’s tough talk often outpaces his actions. “He’s never wanted to confront the Chinese. So we had a few days where it looked like he wanted to confront the Chinese and people should not have taken that seriously,” Scissors said. “His inclination is to bluster a great deal and then back off.” Such skepticism fuels doubts about whether Trump can sustain the pressure needed to bring Xi to the table.
Still, Trump’s determination is evident. On Tuesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt delivered a pointed message from the president: “The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them. There’s no difference between China and any other country, except they are much larger, and China wants what we have — what every country wants — what we have, the American consumer,” she said, reading Trump’s words. “Or, put another way, they need our money.” This statement reflects Trump’s belief that America holds the upper hand.
External voices are amplifying the urgency. JP Morgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, whose recession concerns influenced Trump’s tariff adjustments, urged swift U.S.-China talks. “It doesn’t have to wait a year,” Dimon said in a Financial Times interview. “It could start tomorrow.” His call emphasizes the economic stakes and the need for resolution before markets unravel.
The administration’s supporters see this as a defining moment for Trump’s leadership. By isolating China and incentivizing U.S. manufacturing, Trump aims to cement his legacy as a transformative economic force. “The theory is, get all of Asia but China to the table, incentivize them with lower LOCKED tariffs and U.S. companies will leave China,” one White House insider said. “And yes it makes sense. It’s happening already. But is it enough to move China? Big question.” The answer remains uncertain, but the strategy’s ambition is undeniable.
Critics argue the plan overreaches, pointing to China’s adaptability and global alliances. “The bigger question is what gets the two sides to the negotiating table — is there anything left to do that would constitute an escalation that’s more signal than noise? No,” said Marc Busch, a Georgetown University professor and former trade advisor. Yet, for Trump’s base, the president’s tenacity and deal-making prowess offer hope that he can outmaneuver Xi.
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