Trump’s America First: The Trade Battle With China He Shouldn’t Back Down On

The gloves are off in the latest chapter of the U.S.-China trade war, and this time, China isn’t backing down. While Mexico and Canada have folded under the pressure of President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff threats, China is digging in. But let’s be clear—Trump’s America First strategy is the right one, and if anything, he should have hit China harder.

How We Got Here: The Long Road to a Trade War

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China didn’t start overnight. For decades, China has manipulated trade, stolen intellectual property, and engaged in unfair business practices that have gutted American manufacturing. The problem stretches back to when the U.S. first welcomed China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001 under the assumption that economic integration would lead to political and market liberalization. It didn’t.

Instead, China used its newfound status to flood the U.S. market with cheap goods, manipulate its currency, and build up its own industries using unfair subsidies while limiting American companies’ access to its markets. For years, previous administrations—Bush, Obama, and even Clinton—either ignored or mishandled the problem, allowing China to grow into an economic powerhouse at America’s expense.

Then came Donald Trump in 2016, calling out China’s trade abuses and promising to fix them. His first term saw a full-blown trade war, with tariffs and counter-tariffs shaking global markets. By 2020, China agreed to a phase one trade deal that included commitments to buy American goods, particularly in agriculture. But when Biden took office, enforcement of that deal became weak, and China went right back to business as usual.

Now, with Trump back in the White House, the trade battle is back in full force.

Trump vs. China: Round Two

The second Trump administration wasted no time getting tough on trade. On February 1, 2025, Trump announced a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports in response to China’s continued economic manipulation and its role in the fentanyl crisis. Unlike Canada and Mexico, which immediately sought negotiations when Trump threatened them with 25% tariffs, China responded with retaliation.

China’s Response

Instead of backing down, China fired back with:

• Tariffs on U.S. Energy Exports – A 15% tariff on American coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG)
• Export Controls on Critical Minerals – Restrictions on key materials used in high-tech manufacturing
• An Antitrust Investigation into Google – Targeting a major American tech company in retaliation
• Blacklisting U.S. Companies – Adding major American firms to China’s “Unreliable Entities List”

This response makes one thing very clear: China is not Canada or Mexico. Unlike our neighboring trade partners, Beijing has no interest in compromise. They see Trump’s America First stance as a direct threat to their long-term economic ambitions—and they’re right to be worried.

Why 10% Isn’t Enough—Trump Should Have Gone for 25%

Here’s where Trump might have miscalculated: A 10% tariff is a start, but given China’s aggressive response, he should have gone for 25% right out of the gate.

Why? Because when China retaliates, it’s not a sign of strength—it’s a sign of desperation. Beijing relies heavily on access to the U.S. market, and their countermeasures are designed to scare Washington into backing off. But history tells us that when America applies enough economic pressure, China blinks.

By holding off on 25% tariffs, Trump may have given China too much room to maneuver. But it’s not too late. The U.S. should immediately increase tariffs across the board, making it clear that we will not tolerate unfair trade practices any longer.

Why America First is the Right Strategy

Trump’s America First stance is about putting U.S. workers and industries ahead of globalist interests. For too long, America has played by the rules while China has cheated, stolen, and manipulated its way to economic dominance. Enough is enough.

Here’s why America First must guide U.S. trade policy:

1. Restoring American Manufacturing – Over 3.7 million U.S. manufacturing jobs have been lost to China since 2001. Higher tariffs will encourage companies to bring those jobs home.
2. Ending Dependence on China – The COVID-19 pandemic showed how dangerous it is to rely on China for critical goods like medical supplies and semiconductors.
3. Protecting National Security – China’s control over rare earth minerals and high-tech supply chains is a national security risk. Tariffs and export controls will force the U.S. to build its own supply chains.
4. Punishing China for Fentanyl Exports – China plays a key role in the production of fentanyl and its precursor chemicals, fueling the U.S. opioid crisis. Economic pressure is a necessary response.

What Comes Next?

China has signaled that it won’t cave quickly, but history tells us that America holds the stronger hand. If Trump stands firm and increases tariffs to 25% or more, China will face severe economic consequences.

At the same time, Mexico and Canada are already caving to Trump’s trade demands, proving that his strategy works when applied correctly. If he escalates the fight with China, they will have no choice but to come to the table.

But backing down? That would be a mistake. Trump ran on America First, and Americans expect him to deliver. The battle lines are drawn—now it’s time to go all in.