Charles Esther
Former U.S. President Donald Trump recently addressed the escalating tariff situation between the United States and China.
He acknowledged that the current 145% tariffs on Chinese imports are “very high” and suggested they would come down—though not to zero.
Trump Comments on China Tariffs
Speaking during a press conference in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that the steep tariffs would “come down substantially.”
However, he clarified, “It won’t be that high… but it won’t be zero.”
These remarks followed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s assertion earlier that day that the trade tensions had effectively created a trade embargo between the two economic giants.
Hint at Trade Negotiations with China
Despite his strong stance, Trump mentioned a desire for positive relations with China.
“We’re going to be very good to China, have a great relationship with President Xi,” he said, though he declined to elaborate on whether negotiations were ongoing.
Past Statements Suggest Room for Flexibility
Last week, Trump had hinted at possible restraint, saying he might not raise tariffs further even if China continued to do so.
“There’s a point at which people don’t buy,” he said, suggesting that excessive tariffs might hurt consumer demand.
Tariffs Tied to TikTok Deal
Trump also linked tariff decisions to other geopolitical issues—most notably, the fate of TikTok.
In March, he floated the idea of tariff relief for China if Beijing agreed to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations, calling it a fair exchange.
“Maybe I’ll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done,” Trump said, adding that “every point in tariffs is worth more money than TikTok.”
Background on the Tariff Escalation
The U.S.-China tariff standoff began in February when Trump imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, citing concerns over the flow of drugs from China into the U.S.
Since then, both countries have engaged in a tit-for-tat tariff war.
As of now, the U.S. has levied a 145% tariff on Chinese imports, while China has responded with a 125% tariff on American goods.
Conclusion
While Trump’s recent remarks suggest a potential softening of the trade stance, the tariffs remain high, and no formal negotiations have been confirmed.
Still, his openness to adjusting tariffs in exchange for strategic wins—such as a TikTok divestment—shows that economic pressure remains a key part of his foreign policy playbook.
