The president of the United States, Donald Trump, claimed to be willing to reduce tariffs imposed on China, noting that current rates are so high that they have stopped practically all trade between both powers. In recent statements, Trump indicated that tax rates, which reach up to 145% on Chinese products, are negatively affecting the economies of both countries.
For its part, Beijing has responded with tariffs of up to 125% of US goods, which has generated strong volatility in the markets and could make industrial machinery to consumer products as clothing and toys.
“At some point I will download them, because otherwise it is impossible to do business with them, and they really want to do it,” Trump said during an interview broadcast on Sunday in the NBC Meet The press program.
Trump also highlighted China’s recent economic problems, Citing official figures that show the greatest contraction of the manufacturing activity since 2023. According to the purchasing managers index, the new export orders fell to their lowest level since December 2022, registering its greatest decrease since April of that year, when Shanghai faced a total confinement by the pandemic.
Despite the tensions, Trump described some recent statements of Beijing as “positive”, although he reiterated that any commercial agreement must be “fair” for both parties.
Last Friday, China announced that it was evaluating the possibility of resuming commercial conversations with the United States, after the latest tariff increases announced the previous month. It was the first concrete sign that both parties could sit down again. The news generated a rebound in US stock markets.
During an exchange with journalists aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump ruled out an immediate conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, ensuring that both countries are “talking about different things.” However, he stressed that Washington maintains dialogues with multiple nations and reiterated his interest in reaching “fair” bilateral commercial agreements.
“I establish the agreement, not them,” Trump said. “You keep asking when there will be an agreement. That depends on me.”
He also pointed out that his team is in contact with Chinese representatives and that tensions could decrease in the coming weeks. Trump reiterated his critical position towards China’s commercial history, accusing the Asian nation of “taking advantage” of the United States for years.
Trump’s tariff policy has been one of the pillars of its commercial approach, generating shaking in global markets and uncertainty among US business partners. Recent data from the economic analysis office reveal that the gross domestic product of the country was first contracted in three years, a reflection of the pressure that these policies could be exerting on the national economy.
In an interview with Fox News, Vice President JD Vance said that India could be one of the first countries to close a commercial agreement with the US also mentioned ongoing negotiations with Japan, South Korea and European nations.
Asian economies subjected to the highest “reciprocal” tariffs have led the efforts to reach agreements with Washington. Japan, for example, hopes to achieve a pact in June after a round of conversations recently held in the US capital.
However, doubts persist about the scope of possible short -term agreements, since experience indicates that comprehensive commercial treaties usually require several months, and even years, to be completed.
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