US-China Trade Talks Hit Snag: Trump, Musk Weigh In as Record Tariffs Pile Up

US-China Trade Talks Stalled Amidst Trump's Comments and Musk's Outrage Tensions between the US and China continue to simmer as trade negotiations remain at a standstill. Former President Donald Trump recently commented on the challenges of dealing with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating on Truth Social, "I like President Xi of China, always have, and always will, but he is very tough, and extremely hard to make a deal with!" This statement comes as US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently admitted that negotiations had stalled. Adding to the complexity, Elon Musk has voiced strong criticism of a newly proposed US bill, calling it a "massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill" and a "disgusting abomination." He further warned that the bill would increase the budget deficit to $2.5 trillion. Despite these challenges, a senior White House official has indicated that Trump and Xi are likely to speak soon, suggesting a possible path forward in the stalled negotiations. This is happening against the backdrop of a record-breaking $22.3 billion in US tariff collections in May, raising questions about the future of trade relations between the two economic superpowers. The situation remains fluid, with the potential for significant developments in the coming weeks.