Trump: 80% tariff on China 'seems reasonable'

US President Donald Trump stressed that China should open its market to the US, and proposed reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 80%.

US President Donald Trump's post on social network Truth Social on May 9 - Screenshot

"China should open its market to the United States. This would be great for them! Closed markets don't work anymore!" - US President Donald Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social on May 9.

Minutes later, he continued to post: "80% tariffs on China seem reasonable. Up to Scott B (referring to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent)."

His comments came ahead of trade talks between the US and China.

According to Reuters, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are expected to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Switzerland this weekend to discuss economic and trade issues.

This could be the first step towards resolving the trade war that is disrupting the global economy.

The planned meeting comes after months of escalating tensions between the two countries, in which tariffs on each other’s goods have exceeded 100%. The two sides have been locked in a tariff standoff, with neither side wanting to be seen as making concessions.

"We have common interests. The 145% tariff (the US imposed on China) and the 125% tariff (China imposed on the US) is equivalent to an embargo," Mr. Bessent said on Fox, while also stating that the current tariff war is "unsustainable".

The weekend meeting in Geneva was described by Trump administration officials as a step toward easing tensions with China.

According to Reuters, three officials familiar with the matter revealed that Chinese officials are increasingly concerned about the impact of tariffs on the country's economy, and the risk of isolation as China's trading partners have begun negotiating deals with Washington.

These factors, along with US outreach and Mr Trump's softening of tone, prompted Beijing to agree to send Mr He Lifeng to meet US representatives in Switzerland this weekend.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-trump-muc-thue-80-voi-trung-quoc-co-ve-hop-ly-20250509184901758.htm