In a notable shift that could pave the way for renewed U.S.-China trade talks, former President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to eventually lower tariffs on Chinese imports, citing the economic strain on Beijing and a desire for a fair trade deal. In a recent interview, Trump stressed that while he won’t reduce tariffs unilaterally, China’s weakening economy may force it to reengage in negotiations. The remarks come amid a broader softening in rhetoric on both sides, raising prospects for a potential thaw in the long-standing trade standoff.
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Softened Rhetoric Signals Potential for Future U.S.-China Trade Talks
Former President Donald Trump has indicated that tariffs on Chinese imports to the United States will eventually be reduced, suggesting a possible thaw in the tense U.S.-China trade relationship.
In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press aired Sunday, Trump stated:
“At some point, I’m going to lower them because otherwise you could never do business with them. They want to do business very much … their economy is collapsing.”
Trump’s remarks come amid a gradual softening of rhetoric from both Washington and Beijing, following a lengthy standoff that saw U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods rise to 145% and Chinese tariffs on American products reach 125%.
Trump Refuses to Drop Tariffs Prematurely
During the interview, host Kristen Welker asked if Trump would consider reducing tariffs to initiate trade negotiations.
“Why would I do that?” Trump responded, emphasizing that China must make the first move.
A Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson recently commented that Beijing is “currently assessing” U.S. proposals for trade talks but insisted Trump must first cancel his “unilateral tariff hikes.”
Chinese Economy Under Pressure from U.S. Tariffs
The trade war’s impact on China is becoming more apparent. In April, China’s factory activity saw its steepest decline in 16 months, with new export orders plummeting to the lowest levels since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump noted the economic toll on China, pointing to factory closures and surging unemployment, yet maintained that a fair deal is the goal:
“They’ve taken advantage of us for years, but I want a fair trade deal.”
See more related articles: US Trade deficit soars to record 140 5 billion
Broader Trade Negotiations and Trump’s Strategy
Trump said his administration is in discussions with almost every country on trade agreements and hinted that new deals may be announced soon.
“At a certain point I’ll be just setting a certain tariff number,” he said, underscoring his intention to take control of trade terms.
Trump Discusses TikTok
During the same interview, Trump addressed the status of Chinese-owned TikTok, which has 170 million U.S. users. He expressed willingness to extend the deadline for ByteDance to sell its U.S. TikTok operations.
“I’d like to see it done,” he said, referring to a potential sale, and added, “TikTok is very interesting, but it will be protected.”
Congress passed legislation in 2024 mandating ByteDance to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations or face a ban, citing national security threats. Trump emphasized his “sweet spot” for TikTok, noting its role in helping him connect with younger voters during the 2024 election campaign.
