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President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that China has increased its outreach efforts significantly since the recent escalation of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. He mentioned that a trade agreement between the two nations could be finalized in the coming three to four weeks.
In a discussion with reporters following the signing of executive orders aimed at deregulating the seafood industry, Trump fielded questions regarding his ongoing trade negotiations with Chinese officials. Notably, he was asked if he had conversed with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the intensifying trade conflict.
Trump confirmed that there has been substantial communication, stating, “They have reached out a number of times,” while emphasizing that he is receiving frequent updates from high-ranking Chinese officials. When pressed for specifics about the frequency of these communications since his decision to increase tariffs from 54% to 145%, he replied simply, “A lot.”
Trump’s remarks come at a time when reports suggest he is hesitant to initiate contact with China in the current climate of the trade war. Sources close to the White House reveal that U.S. officials have been advocating for the Chinese government to initiate dialogue between Xi and Trump. However, such outreach has yet to occur.
When asked directly if he had discussed matters with Xi yet, Trump opted not to clarify, stating only, “I’ve never said whether or not [it’s] happened. But I have a very good relationship with President Xi, and I think it’s going to continue. They have reached out a number of times.”
The press quickly sought clarification regarding whether Trump’s mention of outreach referred to Xi specifically or other Chinese officials. In response, Trump stated, “I view it very similarly. It would be top levels of China, and if you knew [Xi], you would know that if they reached out, he knew exactly – he knew everything about it. He runs it very tight, very strong, very smart. And, yeah, we’re talking to China.”
Despite calls from various advisers to expedite negotiations, Trump expressed confidence that time remains on his side in this trade dispute. He anticipates that an agreement will ultimately be reached.
“I would think over the next three or four weeks, I think maybe the whole thing could be concluded,” Trump said, highlighting his optimism about the potential for progress.
In addition, Trump reassured the public that if a deal cannot be finalized, matters will not devolve into chaos. He stated, “At a certain point, if we don’t make a deal, we’ll just set a limit. We’ll set a tariff. We’ll set some parameters, and we’ll say, ‘Come in and shop.'” He emphasized that China maintains the option to bypass the agreement, indicating that they could choose not to engage with American markets. “We have something that nobody else has, and that’s the American consumer,” he concluded.
This ongoing interaction between the Trump administration and Chinese officials encapsulates the complex dynamics of U.S.-China relations. As both nations navigate economic challenges, the possibility of reaching a trade deal presents a critical moment for their future interactions. The upcoming weeks could be pivotal, with Trump optimistic about the path forward, reflecting his administration’s stance on trade negotiations and international relations.
While the world watches closely, the effectiveness of Trump’s strategy in engaging with China amid heightened tariffs will be a point of discussion among economists and policymakers alike. In the end, the outcome of these negotiations will likely impact not only economic relations between the two nations but also the global economic landscape as a whole. The stakes remain high, and both sides face tremendous pressure to find common ground.
