US-China trade talks kicked off this weekend, and President Donald Trump has already hailed the two countries’ first meet since he imposed tariffs earlier this year.
Taking to his social media account on Truth Social on Saturday evening, he shared news of “great progress” in trade talks between America and China. “A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland,” he wrote online. “Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner. We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business.”
Tariff war: No major breakthrough expected despite Trump hailing 1st meeting
Neither side has made any official comments to the media as of yet. Although no consequential breakthrough was announced after the first day of talks between the countries in Geneva, the Associated Press reported that the much-awaited discussion lasted over 10 hours. US officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and a Chinese delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng were part of the “good meeting,” as underlined by Trump. An official has since told the US-based outlet that these discussions–held in the 18th-century “Villa Saladin”–will continue on Sunday.
Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, did not signal a major plot-twisting development as far as the Geneva meeting is concerned. She maintained that simultaneous de-escalation from both sides appeared to be the “best scenario,” as even a little reduction could go a long way in helping relieve global financial markets as well.
With the intense fight between US and China raging on, Trump’s combined 145% tariffs on the latter include a 20% charge that seeks to push Beijing into doing all that it takes to hold back the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl in America. The other 125% rings back the memories of Trump’s first term, when he originally hit China with tariffs. With those disputed issues still floating on the top, it remains to be seen how the conflicted past will not impact the present trade affairs.
Recent developments on Trump tariffs
Prior to the Geneva meet, Trump suggested on Friday that the US could bring down its tariffs on China to 80%. Turning to his Truth Social platform, he wrote, “80% Tariff seems right! Up to Scott.” While it may not seem much on its own, it came as a major shift from him hiking the levies to a combined 145% last month. Since then, China hit back by imposing 125% tariffs on American imports, further disrupting trade.
Last week, Trump popped in for an interview with NBC News, where he insinuated that Chinese officials were desperate to make a deal. “We’ll see how that all turns out, but it’s got to be a fair deal,” he maintained, adding that tariffs on China could lowered “at some point.”