President Donald Trump is ramping up pressure on China to open its markets to U.S. goods while also suggesting that current tariffs could be scaled back. The remarks came just ahead of a scheduled diplomatic meeting between American and Chinese trade officials in Geneva this weekend.
Early Friday morning, Trump took to Truth Social to call for greater market access in China, declaring, “CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” Minutes later, he followed up with a pointed reference to current trade penalties: “80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” alluding to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Currently, the U.S. maintains a 145% tariff on Chinese goods—a rate set after retaliatory moves from Beijing, which imposed its own 125% levy on American products. Trump, speaking Thursday in the Oval Office, suggested the high tariffs may have already peaked. “It’s at 145 so we know it’s coming down,” he said, hinting at a thaw in economic tensions. “I think we’re going to have a very good relationship.”
This latest development adds momentum to a broader effort by the Trump administration to renegotiate global trade deals. Treasury Secretary Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with Chinese counterparts over the weekend. Greer framed the talks as part of a broader mission to secure fairer trade practices. “At President Trump’s direction, I am negotiating with countries to rebalance our trade relations… and protect America’s economic and national security,” he said.
Bessent echoed that position, emphasizing that the goal is not to sever ties with China but to fix what he called an “unsustainable” trade dynamic. “We want fair trade,” he said.
Meanwhile, Trump highlighted a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom, his first major international deal since returning to office. The deal preserves a 10% tariff on British imports but creates exceptions for certain key sectors like Rolls-Royce engine and airplane part exports, giving American firms expanded access to the U.K. market.
