Speaking to reporters at a White House news event, Trump said the tariffs, which have soared as high as 145%, would "come down substantially," though he stopped short of promising a full rollback.
'It won't be zero,' he clarified, 'but it won't be anywhere near that high.'
The remarks marked a notable shift in tone for a president who, just weeks ago, doubled down on escalating tariffs as part of what he called 'Liberation Day' economic measures aimed at curbing Chinese dominance in key sectors.
Trump's softer rhetoric followed earlier comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who said the current tariff levels are 'effectively embargoing' trade between the world's two largest economies.
At a private investment conference hosted by JPMorgan Chase, Bessent reportedly told attendees the trade war is 'unsustainable' and hinted at a near-term de-escalation.
Markets responded swiftly to the changing narrative. All three major U.S. indexes closed near their daily highs following Bessent's remarks, while Asian markets surged overnight. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index rose 2.5%, Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 2%, and South Korea's Kospi gained 1.5%.
Despite the economic optimism, Trump's comments come amid a deeply entrenched and high-stakes trade war that has seen China retaliate with its own sweeping tariffs, most recently raising duties on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% in response to Trump's hike earlier this month.
Beijing also returned two Boeing jets to the U.S., restricted the number of Hollywood films allowed in Chinese theatres, and added more American firms to its export control and "unreliable entity" lists.
China's Ministry of Finance blasted the U.S. actions in a scathing statement, calling the tariff hikes 'unilateral bullying' and warning that further escalation would 'become a joke in the history of world economy.'
Still, both sides appear to be leaving space for dialogue. Trump reiterated his hope for a deal, describing his relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'very good' and suggesting diplomacy may yet prevail.
'We're going to be very nice. They're going to be very nice, and we'll see what happens,' Trump said. 'But ultimately, they have to make a deal, because otherwise they're not going to be able to deal in the United States.'
However, diplomatic momentum has been hampered by internal tensions. A Chinese government source is said to have told the media last week that while Beijing is open to talks, they must be conducted with 'respect' and greater 'consistency and reciprocity' from Washington.
Trump's unilateral style, including his decision to serve as his own negotiator, reportedly complicates efforts to establish a stable channel of communication.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/trump-signals-tariff-easing-in-china-trade-war
