US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened China with “staggering” new tariffs if Beijing provided military assistance to Iran in the conflict in the Middle East.During an interview on Fox News Channel’s Sunday Morning Futures, host Maria Bartiromo asked Trump whether his warning of 50% tariffs on countries that aid Iran was aimed at China.Trump replied: “Yes, China and perhaps other countries. But specifically, yes, China is included.”“I’ve heard reports, and I don’t always trust news reports, that China is introducing shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles. I’m not sure that’s accurate. I doubt they will do that because I have a relationship and I think they won’t, but maybe they did a little bit at first, but I don’t think they will anymore,” he said.He repeated the warning, saying: “If we catch them doing this, they will get a 50% tariff, which is an amazing number, an amazing amount.”
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Trump raises global tariffs from 10% to 15% a day after the Supreme Court ruling
Speaking about the negotiations, Trump expressed his confidence in Iran’s return to the negotiating table. “I expect them to come back and give us everything we want,” he said, adding, “I want everything… They don’t have cards.”Defending his hard-line rhetoric, including his previous warning that “an entire civilization will die tonight,” Trump said such statements pushed Tehran toward the talks.
He added, “This statement brought them to the negotiating table and they did not leave it.”Trump reiterated that the United States has the ability to cripple Iranian infrastructure in a short time. The US President said: “I can eliminate Iran in one day.”“In one hour, I can get their entire power, everything, every power plant they have, which is big. I hate doing that because if I did it, it would take 10 years to rebuild.”
They will never be able to do that. The other thing you’re removing is their bridges. “I just took one out to show them,” he said, warning that such damage could take years to rebuild.
Strait of Hormuz Tensions escalate
The US President also announced steps to secure the Strait of Hormuz, and America and its allies will deploy minesweepers to remove Iranian mines.“We have minesweepers there… and we are also bringing in more conventional minesweepers,” he said, adding that countries like the UK are also contributing.Earlier, in a post on the Truth Social website, Trump announced a tougher stance, saying: “With immediate effect, the US Navy will begin…the process of blockading any and all ships attempting to enter or exit the Strait of Hormuz.”“Any Iranian who shoots at us, or at peaceful ships, will fly to hell!” He added.“This is global blackmail,” Trump said, accusing Tehran of restricting maritime traffic and potentially imposing tariffs.
He also warned that ships paying such fees would be intercepted.The Iranian Revolutionary Guard responded by saying it had full control over the strategic waterway and warned of dire consequences for any hostile action.
These statements come after the failure of a marathon round of talks that lasted 21 hours in Islamabad to achieve a breakthrough in ending the conflict that has been ongoing for six weeks.US Vice President J.D. Vance, who headed the US delegation, said that Washington had made its “last and best offer,” adding, “We will see if the Iranians will accept it.”