we appreciate you dealing with these allegations on the show. and we'll continue to follow it. >> thanks, bret. >> bret: meantime, other news. senior officials at china's ministry of commerce say president trump has launched the largest trade war in history. at the stroke of midnight, the trump administration started levying a 25% tariff on tax on $34 billion of chims goods claiming unfair trade balances with china. chinese authorities quickly retaliated adding tariffs on $34 billion worth of imported u.s. goods. no signs yet that president trump will back down any time soon. chief white house correspondent john roberts joins us from the north lawn with a trade battle if not a full scale war. good evening,. >> jon: john good evening, bret. when the saber rattling with china and other trading partners first began, president trump famously tweeted that trade wars are good and easy to win. today the president put his money where his mouth is. [closing bell]