President Donald Trump has categorically dismissed any possibility of reducing the United States’ substantial tariffs on Chinese imports ahead of crucial trade negotiations scheduled to take place in Switzerland this weekend.
Speaking at the White House during the swearing-in ceremony of David Perdue as the new U.S. ambassador to China, Trump was unequivocal when asked if he would consider lowering the current 145% tariffs to facilitate talks with Beijing, responding simply, “No.”
The forthcoming discussions will involve U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer meeting with their Chinese counterparts in Geneva, marking the first high-level engagement since the recent tariff escalations. Trump stated that China was the party to initiate these talks. This contrasts with China’s assertion that the U.S. requested the meeting, displaying the ongoing diplomatic tug-of-war between the two nations.
China has maintained a resolute stance against the tariffs, insisting that meaningful dialogue must be preceded by the removal of these duties. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce emphasised that negotiations should be conducted with mutual respect and fairness, warning that the unilateral U.S. tariff policies have inflicted harm both domestically and internationally.
Trump defended the tariffs as a necessary measure to address the vast trade deficit with China. “We were losing a trillion dollars a year, now we’re not losing anything, you know? It’s the way I look at it,” he said. He also indicated that halting the flow of fentanyl into the U.S. would be a key topic during the talks.
David Perdue, a former Republican senator from Georgia known for his critical views of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was sworn in as ambassador just days before the negotiations. Trump praised Perdue’s appointment as timely and vital for managing one of America’s most complex foreign relationships, jokingly urging him to “Say hello to [Xi Jinping] when you’re over there, please.” Perdue expressed enthusiasm about representing the U.S. in China and highlighted his close relationship with Trump as a potential asset in Beijing.
Despite some recent signals from Trump suggesting tariffs might eventually be lowered, he has made clear that no concessions will be made prior to the talks. This hardline approach casts doubt on the prospects for immediate breakthroughs, as both countries have imposed tariffs exceeding 100%, severely disrupting global supply chains and heightening economic uncertainty.
The Swiss discussions are expected to focus initially on de-escalation rather than a comprehensive trade agreement, with officials on both sides acknowledging the need to reduce tensions before progress can be made. Treasury Secretary Bessent described the current tariff levels as unsustainable and likened them to a trade embargo, showing that the U.S. is seeking a more balanced trading relationship without decoupling from China.