Washington, D.C., April 10, 2025 — The Europe Today: As tensions between the United States and China reach new heights following a steep escalation in tariffs, former President Donald Trump made headlines by asserting America’s unmatched military power—claiming the U.S. possesses secret weaponry “nobody has any idea” exists.
Speaking from the Oval Office on Wednesday, Trump addressed rising concerns that the intensifying trade dispute could spiral into broader conflict. The United States raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 125% in retaliation for Beijing’s recent economic countermeasures. While China has yet to formally respond to the latest hike, its Ministry of Commerce has previously vowed to fight the trade war “to the end.”
When asked by reporters whether he feared China’s next move could go beyond economic retaliation, Trump deflected concerns with characteristic bravado.
“We’re very powerful. This country is very powerful—far more powerful than people understand,” Trump said. “We have weaponry that nobody has any idea what it is, and it is the most powerful weapons in the world. More powerful than anybody, not even close.”
Though he declined to specify the type or nature of the weapons, Trump assured that Chinese President Xi Jinping—whom he described as “one of the very smart people of the world”—would not escalate matters further, suggesting that Xi understands the risks involved.
“Nobody’s going to do that,” he added. “He knows exactly what has to be done.”
Trump’s Longstanding Claims of Advanced Weaponry
This isn’t the first time Trump has made bold, cryptic references to advanced military technologies. In 2020, he publicly boasted about a so-called “super duper missile” capable of traveling 17 times faster than existing weapons, though the Pentagon never confirmed such a system. Trump has also accused Russia of stealing U.S. hypersonic missile plans during the Obama administration—despite the U.S. lagging behind Moscow and Beijing in fielding operational hypersonic weapons.
Russia was the first to deploy hypersonic capabilities with its air-launched Kinzhal missile in 2017, followed by China’s deployment of the DF-ZF hypersonic glide vehicle in 2019. Both nations have since tested or used these systems in active military operations. Russia, notably, has employed its Zircon and Kinzhal missiles during the conflict in Ukraine and conducted a combat test of its Oreshnik missile system—featuring multiple independently targetable hypersonic warheads—late last year.
The United States, meanwhile, has faced repeated setbacks in hypersonic weapons development. However, in December 2024, the Pentagon confirmed a successful test of the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), developed by Lockheed Martin. The U.S. Army aims to deploy the first operational ground-launched hypersonic system by the end of fiscal year 2025.
Trade War Meets Strategic Posturing
While Trump’s military assertions are not tied to any immediate defense initiatives, his comments reflect a growing overlap between economic and strategic posturing in U.S.-China relations. With tariffs at an all-time high and diplomatic communication strained, analysts warn that rhetoric linking trade disputes to military might may raise the stakes unnecessarily.
The Biden administration has yet to formally respond to Trump’s remarks. However, Pentagon officials have in the past downplayed suggestions of secret weapons, maintaining that transparency with allies and international norms remains a priority.
As markets react to the tariff escalation and global observers monitor China’s potential response, Trump’s provocative comments have once again added a volatile new layer to an already fraught geopolitical landscape.
