President Donald Trump has indicated that the steep tariffs imposed on Chinese imports may soon be reduced, as negotiations between Washington and Beijing continue. Speaking from the Oval Office after a swearing-in ceremony for Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Paul Atkins, Trump expressed optimism about ongoing discussions, suggesting both parties would approach talks with civility. He maintained, however, that China would ultimately need to agree to terms favourable to the United States in order to continue accessing the American market.
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The president, who has unilaterally imposed tariffs as high as 145% on many Chinese goods, stated that these would “come down substantially,” but stopped short of confirming they would be eliminated entirely. His remarks come despite ongoing criticism that his aggressive trade policies have triggered market volatility and raised fears of a global recession. Nonetheless, the White House insists the tariff strategy has positioned the United States advantageously in its quest for fairer trade arrangements.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration’s position earlier in the day, claiming that Trump’s actions had prompted nations around the world to seek new bilateral trade agreements. According to Leavitt, dozens of countries are in talks with the U.S. following a temporary pause in tariff hikes, with trade adviser Peter Navarro suggesting this could yield up to 90 new agreements. Trump himself claimed that 75 nations had made contact in hopes of avoiding further economic fallout.
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However, despite these bold projections, no new trade agreements have been formally announced. Press Secretary Leavitt acknowledged that only 18 written proposals had been received, and that Trump’s economic team had met with representatives from just 34 countries—far fewer than Navarro’s optimistic forecast. Still, the administration maintains that negotiations are progressing swiftly and remain focused on securing outcomes that benefit American workers and consumers.
