Trump confirms China tariffs will fall greatly from 145%, but denies full rollback amid ongoing trade tensions.
\n washington
\nUS President Donald Trump has confirmed that tariffs on Chinese imports will be reduced \u201csubstantially\u201d from the current 145% level, but insisted they will not be removed entirely, as he addressed growing questions over the future of the US-China trade standoff.
\nTrump\u2019s remarks, made at a White House news conference on Tuesday, followed comments from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent earlier in the day, who called the high tariff levels \u201cunsustainable\u201d and predicted a \u201cde-escalation\u201d in trade tensions between the two largest global economies.
\nWhile Bessent suggested that both sides recognised the need for a shift in policy, Trump appeared to take a more cautious tone, stating, \u201cWe\u2019re doing fine with China,\u201d and adding that the tariffs \u201cwon\u2019t be that high, not going to be that high.\u201d
\nThe US currently imposes a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, with China responding with 125% duties on US imports.
\nThese measures have strained global trade, rattled markets, and led to higher interest rates as investors weigh the economic impact.
\nDespite the economic consequences, Trump maintained that the relationship with Beijing could remain cooperative. \u201cWe\u2019re going to live together very happily and ideally work together,\u201d he said, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
\nXi, in response, issued a warning that escalating trade tensions might lead to \u2018global order\u2019 being hurt.
\nThe president avoided directly supporting Bessent\u2019s claim that the current situation was \u201cunsustainable,\u201d a comment made behind closed doors and confirmed by sources familiar with the conversation.
\nNonetheless, Trump acknowledged a 2.5% stock market rise, reportedly triggered by optimism around potential tariff cuts.
\nChina has not officially responded, but Chinese media, including the English-language China Daily, criticised Trump\u2019s approach, calling it \u201cpopulist protectionism.\u201d
\nOn Chinese social platform Weibo, Trump\u2019s comments trended under hashtags such as \u201cTrump admitted defeat.\u201d
\nBeijing has continued warning countries against aligning too closely with Washington, with reports from The Korea Economic Daily indicating China is pressuring Korean firms to avoid supplying US military contractors.
\nThe Trump administration has been engaging with numerous trade partners including Japan, India, and the European Union, as the White House presses for reciprocal tariff reductions and removal of non-tariff barriers.
\nMeanwhile, Trump has also called on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, stating he wants chair Jerome Powell to \u201cbe early\u201d with policy easing. He denied intentions to remove Powell, despite previously suggesting it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Trump confirms China tariffs will fall greatly from 145%, but denies full rollback amid ongoing trade tensions. washington US President Donald Trump has confirmed that tariffs on Chinese imports will be reduced \u201csubstantially\u201d from the current 145% level, but insisted they will not be removed entirely, as he addressed growing questions over the future of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":474358,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-474332","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n