Trump holds firm on tariffs amid tensions with China and courts

U.S. President Donald Trump is doubling down on tariffs as trade tensions with China escalate and court battles continue.

A call with Chinese President Xi is expected soon, according to While House officials.

Lee Eun-hee has the latest.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak soon on ongoing trade negotiations, according to White House Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The anticipated phone talks come amid renewed tensions after Trump accused China of breaching a temporary agreement made last month in Geneva.

That deal was aimed at easing trade tensions by mutually easing tariffs and trade restrictions.

Bessent stressed that China is holding back its exports of rare earth minerals, which are critical for global industrial supply chains.

Under the temporary truce, China reduced its tariffs on U.S. imports to 30%, down from the steep 145% level initially imposed in response to Trump's trade measures.

Over the weekend, Trump took to his social media platform to say that if the courts somehow rule against the U.S. on tariffs, that would allow other countries to hold the U.S. hostage with their anti-American tariffs.

His comments followed a Thursday decision by a federal appeals court to temporarily pause a lower-court ruling that had invalidated most of his tariffs.

Trump added, "This would mean the economic ruination of the United States of America."

While Trump administration officials say they have other options for imposing tariffs should they ultimately lose the case, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made it clear there will be no extension to the 90-day pause.

In a Sunday interview with FOX News, Lutnick stated, "Rest assured, tariffs are not going away."

On Friday, Trump announced he would double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from 25% to 50%.

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.