Kristina Roberts
US President Donald Trump has suggested reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 80% ahead of important trade discussions in Switzerland. While this is a big drop, an 80% tariff is still very high and could make trade difficult between the two countries. Trump mentioned this idea in a post on Truth Social, leaving it up to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to decide. The talks between US and Chinese officials are expected to focus on trade and economic issues, but a full agreement is unlikely.
Current Tariffs and Possible Changes
Right now, many Chinese products coming into the US face a 145% tariff, which makes them much more expensive. Trump’s suggestion to lower it to 80% would be a major change, but it is still much higher than the 10% tariff the US has with the UK under a recent trade deal. It is not clear if Trump wants the 80% rate to stay for a long time or if it is just a step to push China into better trade terms.
In his Truth Social post, Trump wrote: “80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B.” This shows that he is open to lowering tariffs but still wants to keep them high compared to other countries. He also mentioned in another post: “Many Trade Deals in the hopper, all good (GREAT!) ones!” suggesting that he is working on multiple trade agreements.
Why China is a Big Challenge
China is one of America’s biggest trading partners. In 2024, the US sold 143.5billionworthofgoodstoChinabutbought143.5billionworthofgoodstoChinabutbought438.9 billion in Chinese products. This trade imbalance has been a major issue for Trump, who wants China to open its markets more to US businesses.
In another post, Trump said: “CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” This shows his strong belief that China should allow more American goods into its country.
Recent Tensions and Upcoming Talks
Trade tensions between the US and China have been high. Earlier, both countries had placed tariffs of over 100% on each other’s goods. While the US paused some tariffs for other countries in April, the dispute with China continued.
The meetings in Switzerland this weekend will involve US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, talking with Chinese representatives. However, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that these talks are not expected to lead to a full trade deal. Instead, he hopes for some stability that could help future negotiations.
Impact on Trade and Prices
Recent data shows that fewer goods are being shipped from China to the US because of the high tariffs. This could lead to higher prices or even shortages of some products in the coming weeks.
Trump’s latest comments show a shift in his approach. Just a few days ago, he said he would not lower tariffs to get China to negotiate. Now, he seems willing to reduce them slightly but still keep them high.
President Trump’s proposal to cut China’s tariffs from 145% to 80% is a big step, but it may not be enough to ease trade tensions. The upcoming talks in Switzerland could help both sides find common ground, but a full agreement is unlikely soon. With fewer Chinese goods entering the US, prices may rise, affecting businesses and consumers. Trump’s strong stance shows he wants China to open its markets more, but it remains to be seen if China will agree.
