President Donald Trump offered a confusing and contradictory stance on his China tariffs, calling them “not sustainable,” claiming he was “forced” to impose them, and then suggesting “it could stand.”
This ambiguous messaging comes just two weeks before a scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump’s comments appear to be a negotiating tactic, blending weakness with strength.
“I think we’re going to be fine with China,” Trump said, citing his “great” relationship with Xi. But he also warned, “China is always looking for an edge… We’ll see what happens.”
A 90-day truce that has paused the trade war is set to expire on November 10. This deadline adds immense pressure on the upcoming talks, which could determine if duties as high as 145% are reimposed.
Trump’s ultimate goal is a “fair deal.” He continues to justify the trade war, arguing that without tariffs, the US “would be exposed as being a nothing.”