Trump says he won't lower tariffs to aid talks with China
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he won’t lower his triple-digit tariffs on China to aid negotiations with Beijing.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he won’t lower his triple-digit tariffs on China to aid negotiations with Beijing.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he won’t lower his triple-digit tariffs on China to aid negotiations with Beijing.
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he won’t lower his triple-digit tariffs on China to aid negotiations with Beijing.
It comes days before top U.S. and Chinese officials are expected to meet in Switzerland, marking the first major talks between the two countries since the trade war escalated last month.
Trump was asked about his expectations during an Oval Office swearing-in ceremony for the U.S. Ambassador to China, former U.S. Sen. David Perdue. Trump said that the timing of the ceremony was “unbelievable,” noting that Perdue would be managing one of America’s most complex and consequential foreign relationships.
China has said that they won’t engage in substantive negotiations unless Trump lowers his 145% tariff on Chinese imports. For now, Beijing's retaliatory 125% tariffs on U.S. goods remain in place.
“There isn’t any change in China’s position. This tariff war is started by the U.S. If a negotiated solution is truly what the U.S. wants, it should stop threatening and exerting pressure, and seek dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reiterated during a press conference this week.
Asked on Wednesday if he is considering pulling back tariffs in response to China’s position, Trump flatly responded, “No.”
Trump was less explicit when asked about his expectations for talks this weekend.
“We will see,” Trump said. “We were losing a trillion dollars a year, now we're not losing anything, you know, that's the way I look at it.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, one of the officials expected to represent the Trump administration in talks with China, has said the current situation is unsustainable. He told lawmakers that Saturday’s meeting will represent initial talks, rather than advanced negotiations.
Bessent, appearing before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday, also said the administration is exploring the potential tariff exemptions for baby products.
Trump said it’s something he is thinking about but added that he wants to keep his tariff policies “nice and simple” and avoid granting too many exemptions.