U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States is actively engaged in trade negotiations with several countries, including China, with the primary objective being the establishment of a fair trade agreement.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump clarified that although he doesn’t have immediate plans to speak directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping this week, U.S. officials are in ongoing discussions with their Chinese counterparts on a wide range of issues.
When asked whether any trade deals might be announced in the coming days, Trump responded, “That could very well be,” though he refrained from sharing specific details.
READ ALSO: Bybit Expands into U.S. Stocks and Commodities
Since the president imposed a 10% tariff on a majority of trading partners on April 2—followed by a 90-day suspension—his administration has been engaged in a whirlwind of talks with key economic allies.
Additional tariffs have since been introduced, including 25% duties on automobiles, steel, and aluminum, along with substantial tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and a staggering 145% on Chinese imports.
While Trump acknowledged that reaching agreements with some countries might prove difficult, he indicated that his administration could implement new tariff structures within the next two to three weeks.
It remains unclear whether he was referencing the reciprocal tariffs announced in early April, which are scheduled to take effect on July 8 after the 90-day delay.
READ ALSO: Japan Clarifies Stance on U.S. Treasury Holdings Amid Trade Talks with Washington
Reiterating his longstanding criticism of China’s trade practices, Trump accused the country of “ripping us for many years.” He also took a swipe at former President Richard Nixon, claiming that Nixon’s historic outreach to China was “the worst thing” he ever did.
However, in a separate interview with NBC News—taped on Friday and aired on Sunday—Trump struck a slightly more optimistic tone about the possibility of a breakthrough with Beijing. He described his approach to China as “very tough,” claiming that the U.S. has essentially halted trade with the world’s second-largest economy.
“We’ve gone cold turkey,” he said. “That means we’re not losing a trillion dollars … because we’re not doing business with them right now. And they want to make a deal. They want to make a deal very badly.”
While Trump’s tough rhetoric remains, his administration’s actions suggest a willingness to negotiate—so long as the end result is a fair and balanced trade relationship.
Discover more from Scoop Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
