Photo: Dan Sandoval / AFP
US President Donald Trump has proposed to reduce tariffs on Chinese goods from the current level of 145% to 80%, saying that this is the “right level”. He wrote about this on Friday on the Truth Social platform, on the eve of the first direct trade talks between the US and China, which are due to take place this Saturday in Geneva. This was reported by Reuters.
“80% tariffs on China seems to be the right level! But the decision is up to Scott B.,” Trump said, referring to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who will lead the US delegation. He will be accompanied by Trade Representative Jamison Greer, who will hold talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.
Since the beginning of his second term in office in January, Trump has introduced a wave of protectionist measures: The US imposed duties of up to 145% on a number of Chinese goods, including steel, aluminium and electric vehicles. In response, China imposed tariffs of 125% on US imports and introduced new restrictions.
“China should open their market to the US. That would be great for them!” Trump added in another post, emphasising that “closed markets don’t work anymore”. He also mentioned a new trade deal with the UK, which would eliminate US tariffs on British cars in exchange for opening the UK market to US agricultural products.
It is expected that the Geneva talks will be the first attempt to stop the escalation of the economic confrontation between the world’s two leading economies.
