Donald Trump blasted into a tirade full of expletives to block Elon Musk from joining a top-secret government meeting on China, sparking tensions over Musk's business dealings with Beijing, according to reports. Leaked information to Axios revealed that the former US President erupted upon hearing about Musk's intended presence at the meeting, is said to have demanded: "What the f**k is Elon doing there? Make sure he doesn't go."

Though details of the meeting are kept under wraps, Trump's aggressive stance comes amidst the intensifying trade spat with China. While previously singing Musk's praises and welcoming his participation in key governmental issues as a special adviser, it appears this particular briefing was considered too sensitive.

An official briefed Axios, suggesting, "POTUS still very much loves Elon, but there are some red lines," hinting at the concerns raised by Musk's extensive Chinese business interests and amicable ties there which deemed him unsuitable for this meeting.

Trump's latest move is part of a wider campaign to curb Musk's growing sway in government circles. Cabinet members were evidently irked last month when Musk, serving as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), began firing personnel without prior consultation, reports the Mirror.

Trade tensions between the United States and China have reached a boiling point. President Trump slapped an eye-watering 125% tariff on Chinese goods, which comes in addition to an earlier fentanyl-associated 20% levy, making for a whopping effective tariff rate of 145%.

In a tit-for-tat response, China retaliated by cranking up its tariffs on American products from 84% to an equally staggering 125%.

In a firm riposte, China's finance ministry declared: "Even if the US continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of the world economy... If the US continues to play the tariff numbers game, China will ignore it. However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe on China's interests, China will resolutely counterattack and fight to the end."

Financial markets globally nosedived immediately after the imposition of Trump's tariffs, though they settled back down after a 90-day reprieve was given to all nations bar China. The European Union matched this approach, hitting the brakes on its planned tariffs but firmly maintaining that "all options remain on the table."