The United States currently imposes a 145% tariff on many Chinese imports, and the cumulative tariffs on some products are as high as 245%. U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (April 4) that he would not play a tough card with China, "We will be very friendly and they will be very friendly", but China must eventually reach an agreement, otherwise it will not be able to trade in the United States, "We want them to be involved."
According to media reports, Trump also revealed to reporters at the White House that U.S. tariffs on China will be "substantially reduced" in the future. They will not be as high as 145%, but they will not be zero. He reiterated that he has a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping and believes that "everything will go very smoothly."
Trump also emphasized that China and other countries must reach an agreement with the United States. If no agreement can be reached, the United States will formulate an agreement, "which will be a fair agreement for everyone" and the process will proceed very quickly.
Further reading｜Tariffs on Chinese products exported to the US are expected to rise to 245%. China's Ministry of Commerce: The US is irrational
In addition, when asked about the progress of tariff negotiations at a press conference, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that a lot of progress has been made. The Trump administration has received proposals from 18 countries. The trade team, including U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, is expected to hold meetings with 34 countries this week alone. Levitt also mentioned that "the president and the administration are paving the way for an agreement with China."
It is understood that Trump announced on the 2nd of this month that a consistent 10% tariff on imported goods will be imposed, as well as reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% on individual countries. But he later announced that the reciprocal tariffs originally scheduled to take effect on the 9th would be suspended for 90 days, during which time only a 10% tariff would be implemented.
