Trump Stands Firm on Maintaining High Tariffs before China Talks
Trump declines lowering customs duties prior to negotiations with China - Trump resists lowering tariffs prior to negotiations with China
US President Donald Trump sticks to his guns, adamantly refusing to slash tariffs on Chinese goods despite China's demands ahead of this weekend's confrontations in Switzerland. In a White House briefing, a reporter fired several questions about the possibility of significant tariff cuts before substantial discussions, but Trump merely shook his head and said, "Nope."
During the installation of new US ambassador to China, David Perdue, Trump brushed off the notion that the talks were initiated by the Americans. Trump, who considers Perdue a pal, urged China to double-check its records and pointed out that the ball was now in their court.
The anticipated summit between the China and the USA is set to kick off this weekend. High-ranking US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, are scheduled to meet with representatives from the People's Republic of China. During a Fox News interview, Bessent shared his expectations for the discussions, stating that the first step would be to agree on topics to tackle. "We're not aiming for a grand trade pact just yet. We need to cool things down first."
Trade Tensions and Tariffs
- Tariffs remain elevated, with recent escalations hinting at an uptick rather than a decrease. On April 8, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order, significantly increasing tariffs on Chinese imports, affecting the de minimis exemption status of certain goods[2]. The international postal system now imposes duties of either 90% ad valorem or a flat fee of $75 per item, with the fee increasing to $150 effective June 1, 2025[2].
- In response, China has raised its tariffs on US imports to 125% and stopped the export of certain minerals and magnets[3]. The average US effective tariff rate has skyrocketed, reaching roughly 28% before adjustments and potentially dropping to 18% as trade dynamics shift[3].
The trade war between the US and China continues to rage on, with no signs of tariff reductions in sight[1][2][3]. Both parties find themselves entangled in an ongoing standoff, which shows no clear end in sight.
- Despite China's demands for Tariffs reductions before their confrontations, Donald Trump, the US President, firmly refused to compromise.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, a concern that might be linked to the effects of ongoing war-and-conflicts and politics.
- The reporter, seeking clarification about potential Tariffs cuts before substantial discussions, was denied by Trump, who merely nodded and responded, "Nope."
- The anticipated summit between China and the USA, slated for this weekend, comes amidst a policy-and-legislation landscape where both countries have shown a readiness to engage, possibly agreeing on topics to tackle first.
- General-news outlets have been reporting that the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China show no signs of abating, with both parties seemingly entrenched in a prolonged standoff over Tariffs, perhaps reminiscent of a war-and-conflicts scenario.
