Trump holds firm on tariffs amid tensions with China and courts

Meanwhile U.S. President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping are expected to speak on the phone amid allegations of violations of a temporary bilateral trade deal agreed upon last month in Geneva.

Lee Eun-hee has more.

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.