“We have much bigger and better cards than they do,” Trump said. “If I played those cards, that would destroy China. I’m not going to play those cards.”

The US president’s escalation comes despite a 90-day pause on increased tariffs that has already been agreed.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 200% tariffs on China if Beijing does not give magnets to the U.S. amid an extended trade truce.

“We have much bigger and better cards than they do,” Trump said. “If I played those cards, that would destroy China. I’m not going to play those cards.”

A warning of higher tariffs over China’s supply of permanent magnets only shows Beijing it must protect its near-monopoly status, experts said.