President Xi had a bad moment': Trump says US wants to 'help' China; will he back down from 100% tariff threat?

In a dramatic shift in tone, US President Donald Trump has significantly softened his rhetoric towards China, praising President Xi Jinping as "highly respected" and insisting the United States wants to help, not harm, the Asian powerhouse.

This unexpected change in stance comes just days after Trump had accused Beijing of hostile actions regarding rare earth exports and even threatened to impose a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, sending global markets into uncertainty.

"President Xi had a bad moment," Trump remarked in an apparent reference to recent tensions, while emphasizing Washington's desire to assist China rather than confront it. The about-face has left analysts questioning whether this signals a genuine thaw in relations or a strategic recalibration ahead of potential trade negotiations.

The pivot comes amid growing concerns about the impact of trade tensions on both economies, with businesses worldwide watching closely for signs of de-escalation. Trump's previous threats had raised fears of a renewed trade war between the world's two largest economies.

International observers note that Trump's comments suggest a possible shift in approach toward diplomatic engagement over punitive measures, though the president has yet to explicitly withdraw his tariff threats. The development could potentially ease tensions that have strained bilateral relations in recent months.

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