President Donald Trump speaks to the media alongside first lady Melania Trump as they depart the White House on April 25, 2025, in Washington, DC. Trump has said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called him but did not say if any of those communications took place since he imposed stiff tariffs on the communist nation. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
TRUMP HINTS AT CUTTING CHINA TARIFFS ‘SUBSTANTIALLY’ FROM 145%
Trump’s latest comments, which took place before he boarded Marine One to travel to Rome for Pope Francis’ funeral, come after days of back and forth between the countries over whether they are in direct talks about reducing the tariffs – and whether Trump and Xi have spoken directly to one another since the tariffs were rolled out.
Trump’s tariffs on China, which have rattled global stock markets and upended supply chains, have ballooned to 145% while China has responded by slapping a 125% tariff on its U.S. imports.
In a newly published TIME article published Friday morning, Trump is quoted as saying that Xi personally called him to discuss trade matters.
"He's called. And I don't think that's a sign of weakness on his behalf," Trump is quoted as saying, without providing specifics about the timing or content of the call.
When asked what Xi said, Trump sidestepped his response by saying "We all want to make deals. But I am this giant store. It's a giant, beautiful store, and everybody wants to go shopping there. And on behalf of the American people, I own the store, and I set prices, and I'll say, if you want to shop here, this is what you have to pay."
Trump announcing his tariffs on China and other countries. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
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Trump said Tuesday that the hefty tax rate of 145% Americans must currently pay for Chinese imports will likely be reduced significantly.
While Trump said the rate "won’t be zero," he expressed optimism over a potential trade deal with China.
"One hundred forty-five percent is very high, and it won’t be that high," Trump said to reporters in the Oval Office. "It will come down substantially, but it won’t be zero."
Fox News’ Greg Norman, Bonny Chu and Stephen Sorace contributed to this report.
Michael Dorgan is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
You can send tips to michael.dorgan@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @M_Dorgan.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-chinas-xi-called-him-amid-ongoing-confusion-over-trade-talks