Kevin O’Leary, the Shark Tank investor and business personality, is calling for drastic action against China. He says America needs to hit China with 400% tariffs to stop their stealing of U.S. technology and ideas. O’Leary claims China has cheated for decades, breaking trade rules and taking American intellectual property without consequences.
He argues that past presidents and European leaders did nothing to stand up to China. Now, he says, it’s time to get tough. O’Leary supports President Trump’s tariffs but wants them raised even higher. He believes crushing tariffs will force China’s leader, Xi Jinping, to negotiate fair deals.
“China doesn’t play by the rules,” O’Leary said. “They steal our patents, copy our products, and sell them back to us. It’s killing American small businesses.” He testified before Congress, demanding action to protect U.S. innovation. O’Leary claims millions of American jobs and companies are at risk because of China’s cheating.
The Trump administration recently raised tariffs on China to 125%, but O’Leary calls this “just a start.” He says 400% tariffs would cripple China’s economy until they agree to fair trade. “Squeeze their heads against the wall,” he urged. “They’ll come begging to talk.”
Conservatives praise O’Leary’s stance, saying weak leadership let China get away with theft for too long. They argue Trump’s tariffs—and even higher ones—are necessary to level the playing field. “China respects strength, not apologies,” one analyst noted. “Finally, we have a president who fights back.”
Critics claim high tariffs hurt American consumers, but O’Leary dismisses these concerns. “A little pain now is worth it to save our economy long-term,” he said. He accuses China of using stolen technology to dominate global markets, threatening U.S. security and prosperity.
O’Leary’s message resonates with workers in industries gutted by Chinese competition. Factories closed, jobs moved overseas, and cheap knockoffs flooded stores—all while China ignored trade deals. “Enough is enough,” said a manufacturing advocate. “China needs to learn they can’t bully America anymore.”
The call for 400% tariffs highlights a growing conservative push to confront China aggressively. Supporters say it’s time to put America first, defend innovation, and end decades of exploitation. As O’Leary puts it: “No more coddling dictators. Hit them hard—and let’s win this fight.”
