First, Bannon urged Trump to cut off China’s energy supply by tightening sanctions on Iranian oil shipments. “Stop the oil in the black market that supplies the Chinese Communist parties with 80% of their energy needs,” said Bannon, host of the popular “War Room” podcast. “You cut the spigot off, the Persian people will come to the conclusion, maybe this 50-year run has not been that great.”

His second directive was no less stark: expel Chinese nationals from the United States. Bannon argued that their presence in American universities and companies gives Beijing a direct pipeline to U.S. expertise. “Send them all home tomorrow morning,” he said, insisting that American students and workers should take their place. 

The advice contradicts Trump’s announcement last month that the U.S. would accept 600,000 Chinese students as part of a trade deal with China. The Washington Examiner contacted the White House for comment.

Turning to Silicon Valley, Bannon accused tech giants of seeking a massive artificial intelligence bailout from Washington, warning Trump not to surrender. He described their push for unfettered technology as “AI amnesty,” comparing it to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, the law that shields online platforms from being held legally liable for most of the content users post. 

“The last thing I want is a bunch of folks in Silicon Valley making decisions for the American people,” he said to applause.

Finally, he told Trump to stand firm on tariffs, a signature issue he helped elevate during the 2016 campaign. He argued tariffs are not just an economic tool but a matter of national security, a way to rebalance decades of globalization that hollowed out American industry.  

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander, hit China,” he said, underscoring his belief that trade leverage, not military force, is the key to restoring sovereignty. 

Bannon said tariffs are essential to rebuilding the “blue wall” of midwestern industrial states that once anchored U.S. prosperity, accusing Wall Street and corporate elites of selling out American workers by moving factories overseas. “Wall Street came and shipped all the jobs and the factories to China,” he said. “These people don’t need MBAs from Harvard… they understand they’re funding an enemy.” 

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Bannon framed Trump as the lone figure standing against what he called “globalist elites,” portraying the president’s agenda as the country’s last chance to reclaim its sovereignty. He warned that continued reliance on China and protection of Big Tech would push the United States toward collapse. 

“America first means American citizens first,” Bannon said, casting Trump’s presidency as a make-or-break moment for the nation’s future.