Donald Trump suggests 80% tariffs on Chinese imports on eve of trade negotiations
Trump proposed to ease tariffs as Chinese officials have called the US fees 'illegal and unreasonable.'
- Trump proposed to lower tariffs on Chinese imports to 80% from 145%.
- Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said US tariffs are 'disrupting the international economic and trade order.'
WASHINGTON – On the eve of trade negotiations with China, President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to drop tariffs to 80% from 145%, a level so high that trade has nearly halted between the world's two largest economies.
But it wasn’t clear whether his May 9 social-media post was a negotiating tactic or a final offer to Chinese officials who have called U.S. tariffs "illegal and unreasonable."
“80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” Trump said in one post, referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
“CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” he wrote in another post.
China calls US tariffs 'illegal and unreasonable'
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng agreed to discuss trade in Switzerland with Bessent from May 9 to 12. But Lifeng called U.S. tariffs “illegal and unreasonable” on May 7 and said they were “disrupting the international economic and trade order.”
“If the U.S. says one thing but does another, or even attempts to use negotiations as a pretext to continue coercive and blackmailing tactics, China will never agree, nor will it sacrifice its principles or international fairness and justice to seek any agreement,” Lifeng said.
Some fellow Republicans have criticized Trump's tariffs. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said "tariffs are bad policy" no matter the intentions.
Others expressed support for Trump’s tactics. Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., said Bessent should reduce the confrontation with China while negotiating lower tariffs and trade barriers.
"It’s President Trump’s strong position that has resulted now in negotiations beginning in Geneva with Chinese leadership," Daines told Fox News on May 7.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the 80% figure was just a number “the president threw out there” but that final rates would be negotiated.
“The president still remains with his position that he’s not going to unilaterally bring down tariffs on China,” Leavitt said. “We need to see concessions from them as well.”
Trump says UK trade deal a template for other countries
Trump and his aides said his May 8 announcement of a trade deal with the United Kingdom would serve as a template for arrangements with other countries. The broad outlines of that deal kept Trump’s 10% tariffs on all imports but with fewer restrictions on U.S. products such as beef and dairy sent to England.
Trump administration officials have said they have 18 trade proposals from the country’s largest trading partners, with more expected.
“Many Trade Deals in the hopper, all good (GREAT!) ones!” Trump said May 9 on social media.
(This article has been updated to add new information.)