Moreno predicts China’s ‘unemployment’ could tip the scale in US’s tariff battle

Published April 15, 2025 2:38pm ET



Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) suggested a key factor could lead to the United States emerging as the victor in its tariff feud with China, as the latter country was not included in the 90-day tariff delay granted by President Donald Trump last week.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is meeting with “friendly socialist neighbors” in Vietnam a week after the U.S. imposed a 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods, which comes as the Trump administration is seeking to pressure China into stopping the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. Moreno, who has previously visited China, contended that Xi could enter a “panic mode” once he sees unemployment grow within his country, citing how a large amount of China’s goods are not consumed and purchased within its borders.

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