US President Donald Trump has issued a sharp warning to Beijing, threatening to halt all US purchases of cooking oil from China in retaliation for what he described as “economically hostile actions” — after China suspended imports of American soybeans.
“We are considering terminating business with China related to cooking oil and other trade areas as retribution,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday. The post reignited talk of a new trade flare-up between the world’s two largest economies.
Interestingly, his online remarks came only hours after a seemingly calm tone at the White House, where he told reporters, “We have a fair relationship with China, and I think it’ll be fine. And if it’s not, that’s okay too.”
Tensions between Washington and Beijing have once again begun to heat up in Trump’s second term. Both sides have traded fresh tariff threats, and Washington has accused Beijing of manipulating trade rules to its advantage. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Zoyols Blog that China’s latest export restrictions on rare earth materials were “a deliberate attempt to harm the global economy.”
Trump, however, insisted he still maintains a “great relationship” with President Xi Jinping, though he acknowledged that “China likes to take advantage of people.” He added, “When punches are thrown, you’ve got to put up the blocks.”
The US president’s warning came as China’s suspension of soybean purchases began to impact American farmers, particularly across the Midwest. US imports of cooking oils and processed fats from China have surged in recent years, driven by the growing demand for renewable fuels like biomass-based diesel.
Meanwhile, Washington is preparing to hit back with steep new tariffs. Trump announced that starting November 1, an additional 100-percent duty will be imposed on certain Chinese goods — a move that could escalate sooner, according to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
“A lot depends on what the Chinese do next,” Greer said. “They’ve chosen to make this a major escalation.”
Beijing, which dominates the global production of rare earth minerals essential to the tech, automotive, and defense industries, has fired back, accusing Washington of double standards. Chinese officials said the country was prepared to “fight to the end” if the US continues with its tariff threats.
The mounting tension has already cast doubt over a planned meeting between Trump and Xi at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit later this month. Whether diplomacy or confrontation wins out next may determine how deep this latest trade storm cuts.
