New Tariff Threats Shadow Trump-Xi “Big Meeting”

A shadow hangs over the upcoming “big meeting” between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping, as the US has threatened new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods.
Despite the threat, President Trump projected total confidence from Tokyo on Tuesday. “I think it’s going to work out very well, actually,” he said of the talks, which are set for Thursday in South Korea.
The leaders will meet during the APEC summit. Their discussion is critical, following a new flare-up in the trade war. The US tariff threat was a direct response to China imposing new export controls on rare earth minerals.
This tit-for-tat escalation, which also includes US port fees and Chinese countermeasures, has raised the stakes significantly.
Trump, however, focused on a positive spin, calling the upcoming meeting “fantastic” and “great for everybody.” He also confirmed that both sides have full agendas, stating they “have a lot to talk about.”