Trump Indicates Willingness to Reduce China Tariffs by 80% Ahead of Upcoming Trade Talks

President Donald Trump has recently expressed a willingness to significantly reduce the U.S. tariff rate on China, which currently stands at an alarming 145%. In a Truth Social post, he suggested that an 80% tariff might be appropriate, seemingly addressing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

This statement comes just before an important meeting set to occur in Geneva, where Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are scheduled to engage with their Chinese counterparts. During remarks from the Oval Office, Trump hinted at the possibility of lowering the tariff, stating, “I mean, we’re going to see.

Right now, you can’t get any higher.” However, an 80% tariff, while a reduction, would still be significantly more than the levies the U.S. imposed on China prior to his presidency. Initially, Trump enforced a 20% levy on China in response to concerns about fentanyl trafficking, which later escalated to 125%.

Trump’s approach to tariff negotiations has remained aggressive and unconventional. Recently, he announced plans for a trade agreement with the U.K., providing few details but keeping the current 10% duty on imports largely unchanged.

While the agreement proposes to enhance U.S. exports of beef and ethanol, it stops short of guaranteeing an increase in U.K. imports of these goods. Despite his attempts to soften some of the extreme tariffs previously announced, substantial levies like 25% on steel, aluminum, and auto imports remain in place.

Although discussions surrounding trade deals continue to proliferate, tangible progress is scarce, raising concerns about dwindling business confidence. It is also debatable whether the ongoing tariffs on China are achieving the desired outcomes, as evidence suggests a rise in Chinese exports to Southeast Asian countries, potentially indicating a shift in the channels through which goods reach the U.S.