Trump Blasts Putin, Slams China on Trade, and Pitches Canada as 51st State

In a fiery week of international rhetoric, President Donald Trump took aim at both Russian President Vladimir Putin and China, accusing them of playing dangerous games on the global stage. His 19th week in office was marked by sharp warnings and a push for diplomatic leverage, reflecting a broader strategy to assert U.S. dominance.

Trump didn’t mince words on Russia, cautioning Putin via Truth Social: "If it weren’t for me, Russia would’ve faced catastrophic consequences already. He’s playing with fire!" The statement comes as Russia intensifies its aggression in Ukraine, while the U.S. maintains a cautious distance from the conflict. Trump hinted at a ticking clock for Putin to engage in peace talks, suggesting a shift in U.S. policy if Russia delays. "We’ll know in a week or two if he’s serious, or we’ll respond differently," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Trump turned his ire toward China, accusing Beijing of breaching a nascent trade deal. The agreement, struck in May, was meant to slash U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, with China reciprocating by cutting tariffs on U.S. imports from 125% to 10%. But Trump claims China has failed to honor its commitments. "China has TOTALLY VIOLATED its agreement with us!" he posted, signaling an end to his self-described "Mr. Nice Guy" approach. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer echoed this, criticizing China’s failure to remove non-tariff barriers.

China fired back, with embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu urging the U.S. to "correct its erroneous actions" and honor prior agreements. The escalating trade spat underscores the fragility of U.S.-China relations amid ongoing high-stakes negotiations.

In a lighter but equally bold move, Trump floated the idea of Canada joining the U.S. as the 51st state, tying it to his proposed Golden Dome defense shield. "Canada can join for free as our 51st state, or pay $61 billion to stay separate," he teased on social media. The Golden Dome, inspired by Israel’s defense system, remains a centerpiece of Trump’s vision for national security.