Trump Threatens China with Tariffs Over Iran Support
President Donald Trump has issued a warning to China, suggesting that the country could face severe new tariffs if it’s found to be offering military assistance to Iran. This comes as the U.S. gears up to exert further pressure on Tehran with plans for a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
In an exclusive interview on “Sunday Morning Futures,” Trump remarked, “Maybe they did provide some military aid to Iran initially, but I doubt they’ll continue that. If we catch them doing it again, they’ll face a 50% tariff, which is quite a hefty penalty.”
Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), who leads the House Foreign Affairs Committee, cautioned that China might face significant economic repercussions should it become more involved in the conflict. He argued that Beijing is likely aware of the need to avoid escalating tensions with Trump.
“I believe he’s not going to draw a line in the sand that they can just walk over, like previous administrations did. This is more serious and will actually hurt,” Burchett expressed during his appearance on “The Big Weekend Show.”
He also defended the administration’s broader pressure strategy, claiming that both economic and military actions are essential to countering adversaries like Iran and preventing any further escalation in that region. “Diplomacy has its limits. The seriousness of our stance was shown by sending J.D. Vance to negotiate,” he added, referencing recent efforts to reach a peace agreement.
Burchett pointed out that the Iranian leadership operates with a mindset that requires strong opposition. “They only understand destruction and seek chaos. Once they gain nuclear capability, they won’t hesitate to act against Israel, potentially sparking World War III. Trump’s intervention is crucial to block that,” he said.
Over the weekend, the administration made strides in foreign policy as the vice president and other U.S. negotiators engaged in lengthy ceasefire discussions with Iranian and Pakistani representatives in Islamabad.
However, following the collapse of those negotiations, Trump declared a “total, total” blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, effective early Monday. “We won’t allow Iran to profit from oil sales selectively. It’s all or nothing,” he stated to Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo. “What we did with Venezuela will be a precursor, but on a larger scale.”
