It’s certainly an interesting way to put it, but Kevin O’Leary, also known as Mr. Wonderful, has had enough with China stealing from American citizens. For decades, politicians and feckless leaders in the White House have allowed China to steal Americans' intellectual property without so much as a slap on the wrist. Thankfully, President Trump is fed up with it and the hope is we’ll see some real results.
Just last week, in the lead-up to “Liberation Day,” a White House official told the Washington Post regarding President Trump’s view on tariffs that “He’s at the peak of just not giving a f**k anymore.” Aside from the colorful language, frankly, that’s the attitude it will take to put the screws to China—a country that consistently allows knock-off products invented and produced by Americans to be replicated and intellectual property stolen.
President Trump has now put a 125 percent tariff on goods from China. Kevin O’Leary, in a segment on CNN, says that number should be 400 percent:
104% tariffs on China are not enough. I'm advocating 400%. I do business with China. They don't play by the rules. They've been in the WTO for decades. They have never abided by any of the rules they agreed to when they came in for decades. They cheat, they steal, they steal IP.… pic.twitter.com/iotEgmNQrr
— Kevin O'Leary aka Mr. Wonderful (@kevinolearytv) April 9, 2025
104% tariffs on China are not enough. I'm advocating 400%. I do business with China. They don't play by the rules. They've been in the WTO for decades. They have never abided by any of the rules they agreed to when they came in for decades. They cheat, they steal, they steal IP. I can't litigate in their courts. They take product, technology, they steal it, they manufacture it and sell it back here.
Nobody has taken on China yet, not the Europeans, no administration for decades. As someone who actually does business there, I've had enough. I speak for millions of Americans who have IP that have been stolen by the Chinese. 400% tariffs tomorrow morning!
O’Leary’s belief and thought process here is that 400 percent tariffs will get Chinese President Xi on the next plane to Washington D.C. to make a deal with President Trump. My sense is that Trump is open to negotiating with other countries but is willing to suffer through whatever pain it will take to force China’s hand to protect American workers and American ideas. No one has held them accountable, which is why I believe O’Leary, who is very clear that he does business in China, is fed up. He goes on to say that:
“If we wipe out any business there because we are still 39% of all consumables on earth and 25% of the world's GDP. America is the number one economy on earth, with all the cards. We will not have that forever. It’s time to squeeze Chinese heads into the wall, now.”
Kevin, tell us how you really feel. But truthfully, I believe Mr. Wonderful is speaking for thousands of business owners and companies who are now competing against China for the very product they invented—it’s just not right. China does not play by the rules. Imagine competing against your own product at a lower price? It’s nonsensical.
WH Confirms Huge Midnight Tariff on China—'When America Is Punched,' Trump 'Punches Back Harder'
Kevin O’Leary is not the only financial guru supportive of President Trump’s economic policies. Founder and CEO of Professional Capital Management, Anthony Pompliano, is bullish on American innovation, stating on X that:
America can build any product at a competitive price if we simply have entrepreneurs focus on the problem.
— Anthony Pompliano 🌪 (@APompliano) April 10, 2025
We are a nation of problem solvers.
Never bet against the innovators among us.
America can build any product at a competitive price if we simply have entrepreneurs focus on the problem. We are a nation of problem solvers. Never bet against the innovators among us.
Pompliano is right. I’m not betting against President Trump to be successful in his move against China. I’m certainly not betting against the American people. American entrepreneurs and risk-takers have been at a disadvantage against China for decades; I’ll give President Trump a long leash in his effort to change that.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member