Trump Ensures 100 Percent Tariffs To China Are Not Permanent, Blames Rare Talks On Land Exports

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump said the proposed 100% tariff for goods from China would not be sustainable.

But Trump blamed China for the latest deadlock in trade negotiations that began with Beijing tightening control over its rare land exports.

When asked if such high tariffs were sustainable and what was the impact on the economy, Trump replied, "It's not sustainable, but that's the number."

"They forced me to do that," he said in an interview with Fox Business Network broadcast on Friday, October 17, as reported by Reuters.

Trump announced an additional 100% levy of China's exports to the US a week ago, along with new export controls on "all critical software" no later than November 1, nine days before applicable tariff breaks expire.

These new trade measures are Trump's reaction to China, which drastically expands export controls of its rare earth elements.

China dominates the market for these elements, which is important for technological manufacturing.

Trump also confirmed that he will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea a meeting he doubted last week and expressed his admiration for the Chinese leader.

"I think we're going to be fine with China, but we have to have a fair deal. It has to be fair," Trump said.