The president’s remarks come as top U.S. officials prepare to meet Chinese leaders in Switzerland.
President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he is unwilling to preemptively lower tariffs on Chinese imports to unlock more substantive trade negotiations with Beijing. “No,” Trump replied when asked by a journalist if he would consider reducing his 145% tariffs to incentivize China, the world’s second-largest economy, to return to the negotiating table.
The president’s comments came a day before U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to travel to Switzerland this week for talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on trade issues. Trump spoke during the swearing-in ceremony of his new ambassador to China, David Perdue.
Trump’s stance underscores the deep divide between the U.S. and China on trade and the challenging path ahead for any potential agreement to reduce tariffs. His remarks tempered optimism sparked by Tuesday’s announcement of formal talks, which had raised hopes of resolving the tariff dispute before lasting economic damage occurs.
The president denied that the U.S. initiated trade negotiations with China, dismissing claims that talks were convened at Washington’s request. “They should check their data again,” he said.
Last week, China’s Commerce Ministry stated in a release that senior U.S. officials had reached out to express willingness to discuss tariffs. “The U.S. recently sent messages to China through relevant parties, hoping to start talks,” the ministry said.
Trump also claimed on Wednesday that the U.S. previously “lost a trillion dollars a year” in trade with China but now “loses nothing,” alluding to the trade deficit with Beijing. While he has recently hinted at eventually lowering tariffs, he insisted American consumers are willing to tolerate higher prices and fewer choices to support his push to revive domestic manufacturing jobs. Polls, however, show most U.S. adults disapprove of his handling of tariffs and the economy.
The upcoming talks mark the first confirmed trade negotiations since Trump imposed punitive tariffs. Both Greer and Bessent have previously engaged with Chinese counterparts before the trade war escalated.
Greer told Fox News last month that he held a “constructive” hour-long discussion with his Chinese counterpart ahead of the trade conflict. “This isn’t a plan to contain China,” he said. “It’s a plan to revitalize the U.S. economy, boost manufacturing’s share of GDP, raise real wages, and prioritize production over government-subsidized finance.”
Bessent, meanwhile, met with Vice Premier He in February to “exchange views on the bilateral economic relationship,” according to a Treasury Department release.
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