Trump Signals Willingness to Lower China Tariffs Ahead of Key Trade Talks

President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that he would be open to lowering tariffs on Chinese goods to 80%, ahead of crucial trade talks between US and Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend, as per CNBC.

The proposed 80% tariff would represent a significant reduction from the current 145% levy imposed on many Chinese goods but remains higher than what many investors and business leaders had hoped for.

“80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is among the US officials scheduled to meet with Chinese counterparts at the upcoming discussions.

While an 80% tariff would mark a reduction, it is still considered high by many experts, potentially impacting trade volumes between the two nations. For comparison, the recently agreed-upon 10% baseline tariff in the US-UK trade agreement highlights the disparity in Trump’s approach to China.

It remains unclear whether the 80% tariff is intended to be a permanent measure or if it is part of the negotiation process. In a separate post, Trump expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations, stating, “Many Trade Deals in the hopper, all good (GREAT!) ones!”

China remains a key challenge for Trump in his efforts to reshape global trade dynamics. Despite some of his previous tariffs being partially paused in early April, tensions between the US and China have escalated, with both countries imposing tariffs exceeding 100% on certain goods.

The U.S. and China maintain a deeply intertwined trade relationship. In 2024, US exports to China totaled $143.5 billion, while imports from China amounted to $438.9 billion, according to the US Trade Representative’s office.

Ahead of the weekend talks, Trump also emphasized the importance of China opening up its markets to the US, stating:

“CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!”

The discussions in Switzerland are not expected to lead to a comprehensive trade deal, but US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressed hope that they would establish “stability” as a foundation for future agreements.