Trump says US isn't dependent on China but on 'having a smart president'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump pushed back against mounting concerns over America’s reliance on China for essential goods, declaring that the United States is “not dependent” on the Asian economic giant but instead on “having a smart president.” 

His comments came during a Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham on Monday, November 10, where he strongly defended his administration’s tariff-based trade strategy and its role in bolstering US manufacturing and economic sovereignty.

Laura Ingraham questions Trump on US dependence on China

When Laura Ingraham questioned whether US dependence on China for pharmaceuticals and key industrial components exposed a persistent vulnerability, Donald Trump firmly dismissed the notion.

He asserted that his administration’s policies had already begun reversing decades of outsourcing by compelling companies to bring production back to American soil.

“They’re all coming back, Laura, because of tariffs... We’re not dependent on China. We’re dependent on having a smart president. If we have a smart president, we are going to have no trouble,” Trump asserted, underscoring his long-held belief that tariffs remain a powerful tool to protect US interests and rebuild domestic industries.

"If we didn't have tariffs, if I didn't have the power of the tariffs, right now we would have a country that wouldn't be making cars, wouldn't be making anything," the POTUS emphasized. 

Trump hails Busan meeting with Xi as ‘big victory’ 

Recounting his recent diplomatic meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, on October 30, Donald Trump described the outcome as one of the defining successes of his presidency in a recent Truth Social post. 

The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, was framed by Trump as a turning point for global stability. “President Xi, a friend of mine, did the right thing for his Country, but I did the right thing for MINE. This was a Big Victory for the U.S.A. and, indeed, the World!” he wrote. 

Trump emphasized that both countries walked away from the meeting with strengthened ties and shared commitments to future collaboration.

“It was a wonderful outcome for China, and the fact that these two Major Powers left the meeting, as it began, with an excellent relationship, and specific plans for future talks and meetings,” he added.

The Republican leader characterized the discussions as constructive and mutually beneficial, noting that diplomacy and firmness had worked hand in hand.

Trump calls Xi ‘a tough and smart man’

Reflecting on his personal interactions with the Chinese leader during a breakfast session with senators, Donald Trump praised Xi Jinping’s leadership while sharing candid observations about the meeting’s atmosphere.

“Two months ago, it looked like the whole world was in trouble over rare earths, and that's no longer a subject for people. It was all worked out very quickly. Without tariffs, I couldn't have done it,” he said.

“President Xi is a tough man, smart man,” Trump remarked, describing Xi as a formidable yet pragmatic counterpart. He also recounted a lighter moment from the talks, saying, “I've never seen men so scared in their lives,” referring humorously to members of the Chinese delegation who appeared tense during the negotiations.

The president’s comments followed a week of renewed criticism directed at major media outlets, including The New York Times, which he accused of downplaying the success of his talks with Xi.