U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he may consider reducing tariffs on Chinese imports ahead of scheduled trade talks with Chinese officials this weekend.
“80% tariff on China seems right!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, suggesting a potential reduction from current cumulative duties, which can reach as high as 245 percent on some goods.
He added that the decision was ultimately “up to Scott B”, referring to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is set to meet with China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva in a bid to ease trade tensions that have rattled global markets.
Trump did not clarify whether the 80 percent figure was intended as a final settlement or an interim step in a broader renegotiation of trade terms with China.
In a separate post, written in all capital letters, Trump reiterated his long-standing call for market liberalization “CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO THE USA – IT WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!”
The remarks come just one day after Trump announced a “historic” trade agreement with Britain, describing it as the first bilateral deal since he began imposing sweeping global tariffs last month.
“The British deal is the first of many,” Trump said. “We’re hopeful that tough talks with the EU — and with China — will also lead to positive outcomes.”
Amid growing pressure, multiple countries have sought to engage Washington in negotiations to avoid the steepest of Trump’s tariffs, which range from 10 percent on many goods to triple-digit levels for Chinese products.
