Musk's Cancellation of China War Plan Briefing Is "Fake News"
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that although it is not easy to allow exceptions to tariffs for specific countries ahead of the mutual tariff announcement on April 2, he will respond flexibly. This is interpreted as leaving room for tariff negotiations under the principle of reciprocity.
According to AP News and CNBC on the 21st (local time), President Trump said during a press meeting at the White House when asked if he would consider tariff exceptions, "Many people are asking me if exceptions can be allowed. But if I do it for one, I have to do it for others as well."
He then mentioned that he accepted the U.S. auto industry's request to delay tariffs on automobiles from Mexico and Canada for one month, saying, "I do not change," but added, "Flexibility is an important word. There will be flexibility, but basically it is reciprocity."
This is interpreted as a statement indicating that while some adjustments to tariffs may be made considering the impact on the U.S. economy, there is no change in the stance of reciprocating equally against countries that impose tariffs or non-tariff barriers on the U.S.
When asked if China has anything it can do to avoid a trade war with the U.S., President Trump said, "I will talk with President Xi Jinping. I have a very good relationship with him, and we will have a very good relationship." However, he added, "But China has a huge (trade) surplus against the U.S., and we do not want that."
President Trump criticized media reports that Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and a close aide as well as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tried to receive a war plan briefing from the Department of Defense regarding China but canceled it, calling them fake news. He also said, "Elon is doing business in China," adding, "He is probably sensitive about that."
Regarding the possibility of war with China, he said, "I do not want to go to war with China," but added, "However, if it happens, we are well prepared to respond effectively."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Musk's visit to the Department of Defense this morning was related to DOGE's work.
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