China is 'caving' to Trump's trade war strategy, expert signals President Trump told reporters Friday that he's spoken to China 'many times'

China is 'Caving' to Trump's Trade War Strategy, Expert Signals – President Trump Told Reporters Friday That He's Spoken to China 'Many Times'

April 25, 2025

Washington, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump claimed Friday that China is beginning to "cave" under pressure from his long-standing trade war strategy, citing recent economic shifts in Beijing and what he described as ongoing communication with Chinese leadership.

“I’ve spoken to China many times,” Trump told reporters outside Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. “They know they’re in trouble. They’re coming around. They’re caving to the pressure. We were winning the trade war then, and we’d be winning it even more now.”

Trump's remarks come amid renewed focus on U.S.-China relations as trade imbalances, intellectual property issues, and global supply chain realignments once again dominate headlines. While Trump is no longer in office, his tough-on-China legacy continues to influence American foreign policy and business sentiment toward Beijing.

An economic expert close to U.S. trade policy discussions echoed the former president’s sentiment. “China is showing signs of strategic retreat on several trade fronts,” said Dr. Marla Chen, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Economics. “They’re lowering tariffs on key U.S. exports, opening certain markets to foreign competition, and offering more transparent IP enforcement policies. These moves signal that Beijing is feeling the squeeze.”

Economic Signals From Beijing

Recent data suggests that China’s economy is facing increasing headwinds. The yuan has struggled to maintain strength against the U.S. dollar, and foreign investment has slowed amid rising tensions with Western nations. China's central government has also taken steps to shore up the domestic economy, including stimulus measures and relaxed restrictions in key industries—signs that some analysts interpret as a response to external pressure.

“These are classic signs of economic repositioning,” said Dr. Chen. “They reflect a recognition that the trade war costs—tariffs, lost business, supply chain relocations—have been significant.”

Trump's Trade Legacy

During his presidency, Trump imposed hundreds of billions of dollars in tariffs on Chinese imports, citing unfair trade practices, forced technology transfers, and intellectual property theft. His administration’s aggressive posture drew both praise and criticism, but it undeniably shifted the U.S.-China economic relationship and brought long-standing issues to the forefront of global diplomacy.

Despite retaliation from Beijing, Trump’s supporters argue that his strategy forced China to engage more seriously with the rules-based international trade system.

Now, as Trump appears poised for another run at the White House, he is doubling down on that legacy.

“We would’ve had the best trade deal in history if we had four more years,” Trump said Friday. “They were ready to sign. And now, they’re crawling back. They know the deal was fair—and tough.”

What Comes Next?

Though it remains to be seen whether China is truly “caving” or merely recalibrating its economic strategy, the signals are clear: Beijing is responding to external economic pressure. Whether these adjustments are directly tied to Trump-era policies or part of broader global realignments, the former president’s narrative is gaining traction among voters and business leaders alike.

For now, one thing is certain—Trump’s trade war, once seen as a gamble, is being reexamined under a new light, and the economic moves in Beijing are feeding the narrative that the pressure is working.