Donald Trump warned of 50% tariffs on China if it supports Iran militarily and reiterated threats to target Iran\u2019s energy infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened China with \u201cstaggering\u201d new tariffs on its goods entering the United States if Beijing provides military assistance to Iran during the West Asia war.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we catch them doing that, they get a 50 percent tariff, which is a staggering \u2013 that\u2019s a staggering amount,\u201d Trump told Fox News show \u201cSunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.\u201d<\/p>\n
The US leader is scheduled to visit Beijing next month for talks with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, after delaying an earlier summit because of the war against Iran.<\/p>\n
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Trump also reiterated his threat to destroy Iran\u2019s power plants and other civilian energy infrastructure if no deal is reached to end the conflict in the West Asia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI could take out Iran in one day,\u201d Trump told Fox News show \u201cSunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.\u201d \u201cI could have their entire energy everything, every one of their plants, their electric generating plants, which is a big deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier today, Trump issued a fresh warning to China, cautioning that Beijing would face \u201cbig problems\u201d if it moves ahead with plans to supply weapons to Iran, as a fragile ceasefire in the region shows signs of strain.<\/p>\n
The warning comes at a delicate moment in the conflict, which has been paused following a US-Israel military campaign against Iran and subsequent Pakistan-mediated talks in Islamabad. Those negotiations, however, failed to produce a breakthrough, raising concerns that hostilities could resume.<\/p>\n
According to a CNN report citing US intelligence, China may be preparing to send military equipment to Iran in the coming weeks. Among the systems under consideration are shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles, or MANPADs, which could significantly enhance Iran\u2019s ability to target low-flying aircraft.<\/p>\n
Such systems were seen as a potential asymmetric threat during the earlier phase of the conflict, particularly against US military operations, and could alter battlefield dynamics if fighting resumes.<\/p>\n
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Responding to the report, Trump underscored the seriousness of the issue, indicating that any Chinese move to arm Tehran would invite consequences. While he did not specify the nature of those measures, his remarks signal a widening intersection between the conflict and broader US-China strategic competition.<\/p>\n
The intelligence assessment also noted that Iran is using the current pause in fighting to reinforce its air defence capabilities, suggesting preparations for a possible escalation if the ceasefire collapses.<\/p>\n
Trump\u2019s comments add to mounting geopolitical pressure, with the conflict increasingly drawing in major powers and extending beyond the immediate battlefield into areas of trade, military balance, and global diplomacy.<\/p>\n
With inputs from agencies<\/p>\n
First Published:
\nApril 12, 2026, 21:17 IST<\/p>\n
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