Donald Trump on China: Xi Jinping and Trump are working on a trade deal that could reduce tensions and import duties between the world's two largest economies.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday (August 15, 2025) that he does not need to immediately consider imposing retaliatory tariffs on countries like China that buy Russian oil. He further said that this may have to be done in two or three weeks.

Trump has threatened that if no action is taken to end the war in Ukraine, he will impose sanctions on Moscow and also impose additional sanctions on countries that buy oil from them. Let us tell you that China and India are the biggest buyers of Russian oil. President Trump last week imposed an additional 25 percent tariff on India, citing continued purchase of Russian oil. However, Trump has not taken any such action against China.

What did Trump say about action against Beijing?

Asked by Fox News' Sean Hannity if he was considering such action against Beijing now that he and Putin have failed to reach a deal to resolve or stop Moscow's war in Ukraine, Trump said: "Because of what happened today, I guess I don't have to think about it." 

What did Trump say about his conversation with Putin?

"Now I might have to think about it in two or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about it right now. I think you know the meeting went very well," Trump said after a summit with Putin in Alaska. Xi Jinping and Trump are working on a trade deal that could reduce tensions and import duties between the world's two largest economies, but if Trump continues to act in this way, then apart from Russia, China will also suffer