President Trump Signals Sharp Reduction in Tariffs on Chinese Imports Amid Hopes for Future U.S.-China Trade Talks.

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President Donald Trump has suggested that the steep 145 percent tariffs currently placed on Chinese imports will be reduced significantly in the near future, raising hopes for a potential breakthrough in strained U.S.-China trade relations. 

Speaking from the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump indicated that while the tariffs remain high for now, he envisions a substantial rollback as part of a broader deal with Beijing.

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The announcement came after a closed-door address by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who described the ongoing trade impasse between the United States and China as unsustainable.

 Trump echoed a tone of cautious optimism, telling reporters, “We're going to be very nice, they're going to be very nice, and we'll see what happens,” when asked whether he would confront Chinese officials on contentious issues, including the origins of COVID-19.

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Trump reaffirmed his belief that China would eventually return to the negotiating table, stating, “Ultimately, they have to make a deal because otherwise they're not going to be able to deal in the United States.” His administration's tariff strategy has layered multiple rounds of duties, leading to the current 145 percent rate on Chinese goods.  In response, China has retaliated with tariffs on American exports totaling 125 percent.

Despite the escalation, the U.S. has maintained exemptions on key items such as smartphones, semiconductors, and computers. 

The original 20 percent tariff was imposed as a response to China’s alleged role in the global fentanyl trade. 

Trump clarified that the high rates would not remain indefinitely, saying, “145 percent is very high, and it won’t be that high… It’ll come down substantially. But it won’t be zero.”

As of now, formal trade negotiations between Washington and Beijing have not resumed.

 White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that more than 100 countries have expressed interest in initiating trade talks with the U.S. since Trump’s announcement of sweeping universal tariffs, though China is not among them.

Leavitt emphasized that the administration is "doing very well" and "setting the stage" for a future trade agreement.

Secretary Bessent, speaking at a private investment conference hosted by JP Morgan Chase, expressed confidence in a future de-escalation of the trade dispute. 

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He told investors, “No one thinks the current status quo is sustainable.” His remarks were followed by a surge in U.S. stock indexes, which rose more than 2 percent during afternoon trading, a sign that markets are betting on progress in U.S.-China trade relations.

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