Summary of Bulwark Takes Episode: "China's Xi Leaves Trump on 'Read' In Tariff Staredown"

Podcast Information

• Title: Bulwark Takes
• Host/Author: The Bulwark
• Description: The news cycle doesn’t slow down, and neither does The Bulwark. Bulwark Takes brings you bite-sized takes on the news of the day from the entire Bulwark team, including Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, Bill Kristol, and more.
• Episode: China's Xi Leaves Trump on 'Read' In Tariff Staredown
• Release Date: April 12, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Bulwark Takes, host Andrew Egger delves into the escalating trade tensions between the United States and China under former President Donald Trump's administration. Titled "China's Xi Leaves Trump on 'Read' In Tariff Staredown," the episode explores Trump's heavy reliance on tariffs as his primary diplomatic weapon and its ramifications on international relations, particularly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump’s Tariff Strategy

Andrew Egger opens the discussion by characterizing Donald Trump as a president who prioritizes tariffs above all else in his trade strategy. He emphasizes that for Trump, tariffs serve multiple purposes: protecting U.S. manufacturing, generating revenue, and wielding diplomatic pressure against other nations.

Donald Trump at [00:47]: "I always say tariffs is the most beautiful word to me in the dictionary."

Egger highlights Trump's perception of tariffs as both a practical economic tool and a strategic maneuver to assert American dominance on the global stage. Trump's approach is likened to a fixed strategy where tariffs are the cornerstone of his foreign policy, especially in dealing with countries that do not align with his administration's objectives.

China’s Response

The episode transitions to China's reaction to Trump's tariff policies. Egger notes that while Trump aimed to pressure China into negotiations by imposing steep tariffs—raising China's tariff rate to 135%, effectively creating a de facto embargo—China did not capitulate as expected. Instead, Chinese President Xi Jinping doubled down, implementing massive new tariffs in retaliation.

Andrew Egger at [03:05]: "China wants to make a deal, they just don't know how to go about it."

Donald Trump at [03:05]: "China wants to make a deal, they just don't know how quite to go."

Xi Jinping responded firmly, asserting China's long-standing commitment to self-reliance and resilience against external pressures:

Chinese President Xi at [03:08]: "For over 70 years, China's development has relied on self-reliance and hard work, never on handouts from others. And it is not afraid of any unjust suppression."

Egger interprets China's steadfastness as an unexpected turn, leaving Trump’s strategy seemingly ineffective and rendering both nations entrenched in a tariff stalemate.

Implications for US-China Relations

Egger analyzes the broader implications of this tariff confrontation. He argues that Trump's relentless use of tariffs has not only strained U.S.-China relations but also complicated America's position as a global economic leader. By individually targeting nations rather than fostering international cooperation to decouple from China, Trump's policies risk isolating the U.S. and inadvertently pushing other countries closer to China.

A notable development Egger mentions is the European Union's recent economic rapprochement with China, negotiating the lifting of tariffs on Chinese electric cars—a move typically resisted to protect EU manufacturers.

Andrew Egger at [07:35]: "The EU, Europe in general, historically, has not wanted Chinese cars to come flooding into their market... but we're now seeing as at exactly the same moment that America steps back in this role, other people essentially saying, okay, we have to trade more with China now."

This shift undermines the U.S.'s ability to lead a unified front against China's economic expansion, as other global players diversify their economic partnerships to accommodate increased tariffs imposed by the U.S.

Domestic Implications in China

On the domestic front, Egger suggests that the tariff standoff provides Chinese President Xi Jinping with a convenient scapegoat for any economic downturns or public dissatisfaction. By attributing economic challenges to external pressures from the U.S., Xi can deflect criticism and consolidate political power.

Andrew Egger at [08:50]: "Xi has a ready scapegoat at hand. It's Trump and his aggressive tariffs. That's the reason he can say that the Chinese economy is not doing as well as it otherwise could be."

This strategy allows Xi to maintain domestic stability by channeling public frustration towards foreign adversaries rather than internal governance issues.

Possible Endgame and Future Prospects

Egger explores potential outcomes of this ongoing tariff conflict. He posits that without a clear endgame or willingness from Trump to engage diplomatically—evidenced by his reluctance to initiate direct talks with Xi—the trade war may continue indefinitely, causing prolonged economic strain on both nations.

Andrew Egger at [08:25]: "Donald Trump doesn't seem to actually want to pick up the phone and call. He's waiting for Xi to do that. Xi doesn't seem too, too enthused about doing that himself. So we're at a complete standstill here."

Egger also raises the possibility that this impasse could lead to a near-complete decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies, disrupting global trade patterns and economic stability.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, Andrew Egger underscores the complex dynamics of the U.S.-China trade war under Trump's administration. While tariffs serve as a potent tool for economic and diplomatic leverage, their unilateral application without coordinated international support limits their effectiveness and introduces significant uncertainties into global markets.

Andrew Egger at [09:00]: "We're looking at basically an entire decoupling of our two economies, the two largest economies of the world, US and our third largest trading partner, the US And China, with a lot of pain to go around on both sides and absolutely no end game inside sight."

Egger concludes that the situation remains precarious, urging listeners to stay informed as developments continue to unfold.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Trump [00:47]: "I always say tariffs is the most beautiful word to me in the dictionary."

• Donald Trump [01:11]: "They’re basically that old SNL skit. For him, it's both a floor wax and a dessert topping."

• Donald Trump [01:49]: "Well, I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line. They were getting, yippee, you know, they were getting a little bit yipp. Afraid, unlike these champions, because we have a big job to do."

• Andrew Egger [03:05]: "China wants to make a deal, they just don't know how to go about it."

• Chinese President Xi [03:08]: "For over 70 years, China's development has relied on self-reliance and hard work, never on handouts from others. And it is not afraid of any unjust suppression."

• Andrew Egger [07:35]: "The EU, Europe in general, historically, has not wanted Chinese cars to come flooding into their market... but we're now seeing as at exactly the same moment that America steps back in this role, other people essentially saying, okay, we have to trade more with China now."

• Andrew Egger [08:25]: "Donald Trump doesn't seem to actually want to pick up the phone and call. He's waiting for Xi to do that. Xi doesn't seem too, too enthused about doing that himself. So we're at a complete standstill here."

• Andrew Egger [09:00]: "We're looking at basically an entire decoupling of our two economies, the two largest economies of the world, US and our third largest trading partner, the US And China, with a lot of pain to go around on both sides and absolutely no end game inside sight."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Bulwark Takes provides a critical examination of the strategic stalemate between the U.S. and China under Trump's tariff policies. Andrew Egger articulates the complexities and unintended consequences of relying heavily on tariffs as a diplomatic tool, highlighting the challenges in achieving meaningful progress without collaborative international efforts. As the situation evolves, the potential for economic decoupling looms, necessitating vigilant observation and analysis.