Daniel Davis Deep Dive TRUMP ADMITS 100% Tariffs on China NOT SUSTAINABLE /Lt Col Daniel Davis & Lyle Goldstein
Oct 17, 2025
Lyle Goldstein, a 20-year U.S. Navy veteran and expert on U.S.-China relations, joins to discuss key trade dynamics. He explains why Trump's 100% tariffs on China are not sustainable and unpacks the history of tariff escalations. The conversation shifts to China's rare earth export controls, U.S. commercial shipbuilding prospects, and Taiwan's defense strategy. Goldstein emphasizes military readiness against a potential Chinese invasion while evaluating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and possible diplomatic solutions to achieve peace.
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Tariff Spike Is Unsustainable
- Trump admitted a 100% tariff addition (total ~157%) is not sustainable for the U.S. economy.
- Lyle Goldstein calls that candid and views the tariff escalation as part of a dangerous bargaining spiral.
Mutual Dependence Limits Decoupling
- U.S. and China are mutually dependent economically, so large-scale decoupling would hurt both sides.
- Goldstein argues interdependence can be healthy and should encourage pragmatic engagement, not pure confrontation.
Rare-Earth Curbs Threaten Defense Supply
- China's rare-earth export curbs are significant and could target U.S. defense supply chains.
- Goldstein sees the move as large-scale and likely planned, not merely reactive to recent U.S. export controls.