President Donald Trump has reaffirmed his desire to lower the significantly high tariffs imposed on Chinese goods, but clarified that the timeline for any possible relief hinges on negotiations with Beijing.
Speaking from the White House, Trump expressed optimism for reaching a deal with China that would address trade tensions, which he described as having left the United States ‘ripped off’ for years.
When questioned about the 145 percent tariffs currently in place on most Chinese imports, Trump noted, “That depends on them. We have a situation where we have a very, very great place. It’s called the United States of America.”
He highlighted that if an agreement is not reached, the U.S. would implement set prices through tariffs, indicating a willingness to maintain pressure on China to comply with U.S. demands.
The President stated that he has a positive rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping and is hopeful for a resolution that would benefit both parties.
On the matter of whether the U.S. is in active talks with China, Trump replied affirmatively: “Actively. Everything is active. Everybody wants to be a part of what we’re doing.”
These remarks come amid rising optimism on Wall Street, where the stock market rallied for a second consecutive day on hopes that a detente between Washington and Beijing could be reached.
The S&P 500 index saw a 1.67 percent rise, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 2.50 percent, following comments from U.S. Treasury official Scott Bessent who described the ongoing trade stance with China as ‘unsustainable.’
A recent report from the Wall Street Journal suggested that the Trump administration might consider slashing tariffs on Chinese goods by 50 to 60 percent as a means of alleviating trade tensions while expecting reciprocal reductions from China on U.S. exports.
Earlier in the week, Trump admitted that the 145 percent tariff was “very high” and indicated it would be subject to substantial reductions in due course.
China, however, has voiced strong opposition to the U.S.’s protectionist measures and has vowed to ‘fight to the end’ if the situation escalates further.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun remarked, “We have made it very clear that China does not look for a war, but neither are we afraid of it. We will fight, if fight we must.”
He also stressed that China’s doors remain open for dialogue, calling for discussions based on mutual respect and benefit rather than threats.
As the trade conflict stretches on, concerns over a potential global economic slowdown have intensified. The International Monetary Fund recently downgraded its 2025 growth forecast for the global economy from 3.3 percent to 2.8 percent, highlighting fears that ongoing trade disputes could hinder economic growth.
Amid these tensions, a coalition of 12 U.S. states, including Arizona, Colorado, and New York, has filed a lawsuit against Trump, challenging his authority to impose tariffs without Congressional approval.
The states argue that the tariffs have disrupted the constitutional order and resulted in chaos in the U.S. economy.
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes criticized Trump’s tariff strategy, calling it “insane” and “economically reckless,” while asserting that such tariffs amount to a tax that ultimately burdens consumers in Arizona and beyond.
As the trade war continues, the path forward remains uncertain, with businesses and consumers alike anxiously awaiting developments in negotiations and potential tariff adjustments.
image source from：https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/4/24/trump-says-lower-tariffs-depend-on-china-as-us-states-sue-over-trade-war
