President Trump suggested on Friday that he was open to sharply reducing the tariffs that the United States had imposed on China, as American and Chinese negotiators prepare to meet in Switzerland this weekend for high-stakes trade talks.
Trade tensions between the United States and China have roiled international markets and the global economy. The negotiations on Saturday and Sunday are intended to de-escalate the situation and help set the stage for a broader trade pact between the two economic superpowers.
In a post on social media, Mr. Trump said that an 80 percent tariff on China “seems right,” adding that it would be “up to Scott B,” an apparent reference to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
An 80 percent tariff would be a big drop from the current 145 percent that Mr. Trump imposed on Chinese imports in recent months. But that high a level would still shut off most trade between the countries. Chinese data released on Friday showed shipments from that country to the United States plunged 21 percent in April from the same period a year ago.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Friday afternoon that the 80 percent figure was one that Mr. Trump “threw out there” and that a reduction would only happen as part of a negotiation.
“The president still remains with his position that he is not going to unilaterally bring down tariffs on China,” Ms. Leavitt said. “We need to see concessions from them as well.”
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