Washington, D.C., : U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that his administration has successfully reshaped America’s relationship with China through aggressive trade policies, military expansion, and increased energy production, claiming that Beijing now views the United States with renewed respect.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump described his recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping as “excellent” and said the relationship between the two global powers had entered a new phase under his leadership.
“Our relationship with China is very good,” Trump said. “We’re doing a lot of business with China now, but it’s no longer the situation we had before, where they took advantage of the United States for years.”
Trump argued that tariffs and other economic measures imposed by his administration forced China to adopt what he described as a more balanced trading relationship with the U.S.
“Trade with China is now very profitable for us, and they respect our country again,” the president added.
The remarks come as the Trump administration continues to promote a broader Indo-Pacific strategy focused on countering China’s economic and military influence in the region. Trump linked his economic agenda directly to U.S. national security and geopolitical positioning, saying that military modernization and defense investments are central to restoring American global dominance.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed those comments during the Cabinet session, announcing that the administration is heavily investing in next-generation military systems, including drones, missile defense technologies, and advanced fighter aircraft.
“We will lead the world in drone technology,” Hegseth said while praising Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense budget plan.
Hegseth also noted that military recruitment levels have reached historic highs for the second consecutive year. According to him, major private defense contractors are investing billions of dollars into new manufacturing facilities due to favorable government policies and increased defense demand.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Secretary stated that despite tensions involving Iran and uncertainty in global energy markets, the American economy remains “strong, secure, and resilient.”
Administration officials claimed that Trump’s second-term economic policies have triggered significant increases in business investment, factory construction, manufacturing employment, and capital spending across the United States.
Trump also highlighted his administration’s “energy dominance” strategy, emphasizing that rising domestic oil and gas production has strengthened America’s position in global politics and reduced reliance on foreign energy sources.
The president claimed that the United States is now producing more oil than Russia and Saudi Arabia combined, reinforcing what he described as America’s return as the world’s leading energy superpower.
The administration’s comments reflect its broader strategy of combining economic leverage, military strength, and energy independence to expand U.S. influence globally while confronting strategic competitors such as China and Iran.
