Washington has imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in an escalating trade conflict with Beijing
US President Donald Trump has signaled a potential easing of trade tensions with China, announcing that tariffs on the country’s goods would be lowered significantly. He added, however, that “it won’t be zero.”
As part of his sweeping ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs on major trading partners, Trump sharply raised tariffs on Chinese goods to a staggering 145%. The move deepened the trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies, despite growing concerns about the global economic impact.
On Tuesday, Trump seemed to change his approach. “We’re going to be very good to China, [I] have a great relationship with [Chinese] President Xi [Jinping],” he told reporters. “145% is very high and it won’t be that high. It’ll come down substantially. But it won’t be zero.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly said the current trajectory of the trade war is unsustainable, raising hopes for a shift in policy.
The measures against China are part of Trump’s broader tariff campaign targeting over 90 countries, aimed at addressing what he calls unfair trade imbalances. While the hikes have been paused for most nations for 90 days, China was excluded. In response, Beijing imposed 125% tariffs on US goods and curbed key exports.
As tensions mount, China has been stepping up diplomatic outreach, engaging with officials from the EU, Japan, and South Korea.
Asked about Trump and Bessent’s comments, the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday urged Washington to end its “threats and coercion” and pursue talks based on “equality, mutual respect and reciprocity.”
Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said applying “maximum pressure” is not the way to strike a deal, and “it simply won’t work.”
China’s position is “very clear,” he stated. “We do not want to fight, but we are not afraid… we’ll fight till the end.” Nevertheless, the “door is wide open” for negotiations, he added.
Rising US-China trade tensions and broader American tariffs have fueled global economic uncertainty, triggering turmoil in the financial markets.
On Tuesday, the IMF cut its global growth outlook, citing a “significant slowdown” driven by tariff-related uncertainty.