Former President Donald Trump suggested an 80% tariff on Chinese imports in a social media post Friday, prompting swift clarification from the White House just hours before high-level trade talks were set to begin in Switzerland.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “80% Tariff on China seems right!” while calling on China to open its markets to American products. “Closed markets don’t work anymore!!!” he added, tagging Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the message.
However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later told reporters that Trump’s comment did not reflect an official policy stance. “That was a number the president threw out there,” Leavitt said. “The president remains with his position that he is not going to unilaterally bring down tariffs on China.”
The timing of the remarks raised eyebrows, coming just as Bessent and chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer prepared to meet their Chinese counterparts for what are expected to be pivotal trade negotiations.
Sources had earlier told The New York Post that the Trump administration was considering reducing the current 145% tariff on Chinese imports to around 50%, although no decisions have been finalised. The White House has maintained a tight hold on details, with Leavitt adding, “We’ll see what happens this weekend… I’m sure you’ll hear directly from the Treasury Secretary or the president after those negotiations conclude.”
The suggestion of an 80% tariff would still represent a major cut from the current rate, though it remains far higher than the 10% cap agreed upon in a new U.S.-U.K. trade deal outlined on Thursday. That agreement, which increased American access to British agricultural markets, is being viewed as a possible template for future trade agreements.
The U.S.-China trade war has intensified since Trump introduced what he called “Liberation Day” tariffs on April 2. Since then, tit-for-tat tariffs have raised rates to 145% on Chinese goods entering the U.S. and 125% on American exports to China.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed Thursday that the U.K. deal would serve as a model moving forward, while senior trade adviser Peter Navarro noted that Greer and Lutnick will be leading negotiations in the coming weeks. Navarro declined to comment on the China talks directly when asked.
The next round of discussions is expected to shape the trajectory of U.S.-China trade relations, with Trump’s latest remark adding new complexity to an already tense diplomatic environment.
