China Blindsided by Trump’s Tariff Plan, Geraldo Says “That’s Why You Can’t Beat This Guy” [WATCH]

President Donald Trump’s latest tariff announcement sparked global market rallies on Wednesday, and NewsNation host Geraldo Rivera credited the president’s strategy as a decisive economic move that caught China and other nations off guard.

Appearing on NewsNation Now, Rivera described Trump’s approach as a deliberate and calculated tactic. On Wednesday, Trump announced a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for all countries except China.

The move, shared through his Truth Social platform, included a 125% tariff increase on Chinese goods. The decision prompted an immediate surge in international financial markets.

“I believe that he ambushed China. I believe that he suckered the whole world into believing that he was going to go down in this harry carry, this suicide mission against the world. I think with him it’s so much spontaneous, but I believe it evolved. I mean, Monday, so many people were feeling terrible pain. The markets were tanking. It was no end in sight. People were watching their 401Ks, their IRAs disappear.”

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Rivera recalled that earlier in the week, investor anxiety was widespread. Stock indexes dropped sharply on Monday, and concerns about Trump’s broader tariff posture led many to question whether his strategy would escalate into a global trade conflict.

“The whole nation was, I think, trembling over the uncertainty of where we were going with this. He was picking a fight with the entire world. So I said Monday ‘Isn’t the problem with China? Why are we getting everybody, U.K., European Union, Japan? China’s the problem.’ I couldn’t understand it,” Rivera said.

Rivera said he changed his perspective after a breakfast meeting at the Regency Hotel in New York with friends and financial industry contacts. He noted that, at the time, many believed the administration’s path would be painful but necessary.

“We all are talking. ‘Oh my God, this is awful, but we’re doing the right thing. You have to have courage. You have to stick it out.’ I went to my Twitter followers. I said, please don’t sell. This is on Sunday and Monday. Please don’t sell unless you absolutely have to. And then, you know, look what he does. Surprise. You know, this is why Trump is triumphant. This is why you can’t beat this guy.”

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Rivera went on to defend the broader strategy as a needed correction in U.S.-China trade relations.

“China’s been cleaning our clock for a long time, making a lot of money on the U.S. trade in a lot of different ways. Dumping product, not taking ours at all,” he said.

“I think that what he did was brilliant. And a lot of people are heaving a huge sigh of relief. People were staring at the abyss. No one knew how far this was going to go, whether we really were off the cliff forever. And I just feel sorry for all the people who chickened out and sold out.”

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“I believe that he ambushed China … I just think he wants the best possible deal he can get the United States of America. God bless him for that. That’s why people really dig the guy. That’s why he’s… pic.twitter.com/IU2zwTvD2g

— Jason Cohen 🇺🇸 (@JasonJournoDC) April 9, 2025

Trump’s announcement halted fears of a broader global trade war, at least temporarily, as global indexes posted gains following the news. China remains the only country excluded from the 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs, keeping pressure on Beijing as trade negotiations continue.

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