President Donald Trump on Friday morning said that an "80% Tariff on China seems right!" adding on Truth Social that the final number would be up to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. (Reuters/Nathan Howard)
Trump’s suggested lower tariffs come ahead of weekend talks between Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer and Chinese economic tsar He Lifeng in Switzerland.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a press briefing Friday, "That was a number the president threw out there, and we'll see what happens this weekend," adding that Trump wouldn’t unilaterally lower the tariff and China would be required to make "concessions."
TRUMP IS COMMITTED TO 10% BASELINE TARIFF, WHITE HOUSE SAYS, DESPITE UK TRADE DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Earlier this week, Trump said Beijing is eager to get to the negotiating table on tariffs. (Adek Berry)
The Trump administration announced widespread tariffs for multiple countries on April 2, following criticism that other countries' trade practices are unfair towards the U.S.
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The administration later adjusted its initial proposal and announced on April 9 it would immediately impose a 145% tariff on Chinese goods, while reducing reciprocal tariffs on other countries for 90 days to a baseline of 10%. China responded by raising tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.
Fox News' Diana Stancy contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-says-80-tariff-china-seems-right-weekend-talks-beijing