US President Donald Trump has stated that he would rather not impose tariffs on China, despite repeated campaign pledges to penalise America’s largest economic competitor with heavy import duties.
In an interview with Fox News aired Thursday, Trump expressed a willingness to negotiate with Chinese leader Xi Jinping over trade and Taiwan.
“I can do that because we have something that they want, we have a pot of gold,” Trump said.
The president pointed to tariffs as a powerful tool in trade negotiations.
“We have one very big power over China, and that’s tariffs. They don’t want them, and I’d rather not have to use them. But it’s a tremendous power over China,” he remarked.
Since taking office on Monday, Trump has hinted at the possibility of imposing a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, which could go into effect as early as February 1.
During his campaign, he went further, proposing tariffs as high as 60% on Chinese goods.
However, the president’s latest comments suggest a softer approach, prioritising negotiation over confrontation.
China has consistently opposed the prospect of a trade war, warning that it would harm both nations. Beijing has vowed to protect its economic interests if tariffs are imposed.
In previous statements, Chinese officials emphasised that “there are no winners in a trade war” and called for constructive dialogue to resolve economic differences.
Trump’s comments indicate a shift from his hardline rhetoric during the election campaign, raising questions about his administration’s trade strategy with China.
While tariffs remain a key bargaining chip, the president’s preference for negotiation suggests a focus on leveraging economic tools to achieve broader diplomatic goals.
