Donald Trump said during a White House news conference that high tariffs on goods from China will “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero”.
Trump placed import taxes of 145% on China, which has countered with 125% tariffs on US goods.
Details of Bessent’s remarks were confirmed by two people familiar with the remarks who insisted on anonymity to discuss them.
“I do say China is going to be a slog in terms of the negotiations,” Bessent said, according to a transcript obtained by the Associated Press.
However, Trump avoided confirming if he, too, thought the situation with China was unsustainable, as Bessent had said behind closed doors.
Despite his high tariffs, Trump said he would be “very nice” to China and not play hardball with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
China on Monday warned other countries against making trade deals with the United States that could negatively impact China. »