Trump Administration Poised to Deploy New 'China-Focused Economic Weapon': Report
As tensions with Beijing continue, former President Donald Trump appears to be escalating his economic stance—this time with a sharper aim at China.
A recent report from The Wall Street Journal suggests that what began as a broad tariff policy has evolved into a more targeted initiative—one that could be described as a “China-focused economic weapon.”
But has this been Trump’s endgame all along?
Last week, Trump unveiled a 90-day suspension on certain tariffs for countries open to trade negotiations with the U.S. Notably, China was left out of the temporary reprieve—and, in fact, faced higher punitive tariffs instead.
While some media outlets characterized the move as a retreat, China’s exclusion seemed to suggest a more nuanced strategy at play.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the administration's next phase involves leveraging trade talks to increase economic pressure on China. The plan? Encourage U.S. allies and trade partners to sever ties with Chinese manufacturing and investment.
“The idea is to extract commitments from U.S. trading partners to isolate China’s economy in exchange for reductions in trade and tariff barriers imposed by the White House,” the report explained.
U.S. negotiators, it continued, will be asking over 70 countries to avoid becoming channels for Chinese exports, to prevent Chinese firms from setting up shop to bypass tariffs, and to reject the influx of cheap industrial goods from China.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appears to be at the center of this shift. The Journal notes that he first presented the strategy to Trump on April 6 during a meeting at Mar-a-Lago. Three days later, Trump publicly introduced the tariff pause—raising questions about whether Bessent’s pitch influenced that decision.
Still, details remain unclear. As the Journal points out, all sources cited were anonymous, and “the White House and Treasury didn’t respond to requests for comment.” But that’s hardly surprising—telegraphing negotiation tactics is rarely in a nation's best interest.
Nevertheless, it could be a deliberate signal to China. Let the whispers circulate, and perhaps it will draw Beijing to the negotiating table—if not out of fear, then at least from caution.
This brings us back to the complexity of the U.S.-China relationship. While economists often focus on models and numbers, historians see a different picture.
Historically, China spent centuries relatively isolated. Since 1949, its communist regime has demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice its own people for power and control. And China hasn’t forgotten the “century of humiliation,” when Western powers exploited its weakness—including the infamous opium trade pushed by the British.
So, unlike Western counterparts, Chinese officials may not respond predictably to external pressure. Their national memory runs deep.
That doesn’t imply Trump’s approach is flawed—but it does suggest expectations should be managed. The U.S. economy is more than capable of weathering reduced imports from China, but Beijing may not cave simply to avoid that scenario.
Trump, for his part, seems to recognize the stakes. In a statement read by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, he said: “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. China wants what we have … the American consumer.”
It’s a perspective rooted in historical precedent. As far back as President James Madison, American leaders have supported the idea of reciprocal trade. While free trade remains the ideal, giving unfettered access to nations that exploit the system would be economic self-destruction.
In the end, Trump’s efforts to isolate China through global trade negotiations may not yield immediate results—but even a partial success could reshape how the world engages with the Chinese economy.
Regardless, his broader tariff initiative is increasingly being seen as one of the boldest and most forward-thinking economic policies in modern American politics.