Escalating Trade Tensions: Bannon Pushes for Total U.S.-China Trade Embargo

In a fiery broadcast on his War Room show, conservative commentator Steve Bannon called on President Donald Trump to intensify the ongoing trade conflict with China by imposing a complete embargo on all bilateral trade. The provocative suggestion follows China's recent decision to halt exports of rare earth minerals, critical for various high-tech industries, prompting Trump to counter with a ban on exporting AI-related technology to China.

Bannon framed the escalating trade dispute as a strategic climb up an "escalatory ladder," urging a hardline approach. "I'm all for it," he declared, emphasizing that any de-escalation would require serious negotiations, which he believes China’s President Xi Jinping is unlikely to initiate casually. "He’s not going to pick up the phone and say, ‘Let’s have tea,’" Bannon quipped, suggesting that diplomatic breakthroughs would need to come through alternative channels.

The call for a total embargo marks a significant escalation in rhetoric, as both nations continue to wield economic leverage in a high-stakes standoff. Bannon warned that the current trajectory, with China cutting off critical resources, could lead to a de facto trade blackout. "People have to understand, I believe we’re at a total embargo," he stated, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

As global markets brace for potential disruptions, the prospect of a complete trade halt raises questions about the economic and geopolitical fallout. With both sides digging in, the path to resolution remains uncertain.