Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested that the current 145% tariffs on Chinese goods could soon be reduced, ahead of highly anticipated trade talks set to take place this weekend in Switzerland. The remarks, made during a press briefing at the White House as Trump unveiled a new U.S.-UK trade agreement, reflect a notable shift in tone between the world’s two largest economies following months of escalating trade tensions.
With top-level representatives from both countries heading to neutral ground for their first official negotiations in over two months, the mood appears cautiously optimistic. The U.S. delegation will include Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer, while China will be represented by its economic policy chief, He Lifeng.
“You can’t get any higher. It’s at 145, so we know it’s coming down,” Trump said when asked whether he was open to lowering tariffs if discussions progress positively. “I think it’s a very friendly meeting. They look forward to doing it in an elegant way.”
Though the Trump administration has recently paused reciprocal tariffs for most countries to ease global tensions, China has remained an exception. The absence of progress until now, combined with firm rhetoric from both capitals, had fueled fears of a prolonged trade war with wide-reaching economic implications.
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Trump appeared to suggest a breakthrough could be on the horizon, noting that China has strong incentives to resolve the impasse. “I think we’re going to have a good weekend with China. I think they have a lot to gain. I do think they have far more to gain than we do, in a sense,” he said.
Asked if he would speak directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping following the talks, Trump responded, “I might, yeah, sure.”
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Despite long-standing friction over trade and the COVID-19 pandemic, Trump has repeatedly described his relationship with Xi as one of mutual respect. On Thursday, he reiterated his desire to see China liberalize its economy and reduce its large trade surplus with the United States. “I would like to see China open,” he added.
As the world watches for signs of compromise between Washington and Beijing, Trump remained hopeful. “I think it’s going to be substantive,” he said. “China wants to do something, and look, they have to at this point.”
