WSJ reports Trump administration will lower tariffs on China
發佈日期: 2025-04-24 19:31
TVB News
The Wall Street Journal reported Washington is considering whether to lower tariffs it earlier slapped on China.
But U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent stressed Washington does not intend to reduce the tariffs unilaterally.
Meanwhile, Beijing's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said no bilateral negotiations on tariffs have taken place between the two countries.
A report by the Wall Street Journal indicated U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is considering whether to massively reduce tariffs on Chinese imports in a bid to cool down tensions between the two countries.
The tariffs are set to drop from the current 145 percent to between 50 and 65 percent. The U.S. may institute a tariff policy on Chinese products according to various classifications, with goods related to national security subject to a higher tax.
U.S. President Trump responded to the WSJ report.
Journalist: "How soon do you want to bring the tariffs on China down?"
U.S. President Donald Trump: "Well, that depends on them. But we get along. I get along very well with President Xi and I hope we can make a deal. Otherwise, we'll set a price, and hopefully they'll come here and they'll contribute. If they don't, that's okay."
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent denied Washington will reduce the tariffs unilaterally, adding any changes in its tariff policy will require negotiations with China.
Regarding recent news emerging from the U.S. on Sino-U.S. trade talks, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs described them as fake news.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said there are no ongoing negotiations between the two parties, adding the trade conflict was provoked by Washington and China is willing to fight to the end. He stressed any talks between the two nations must adhere to the principles of mutual respect and equality.
In the United States, Trump's tariff policy is facing internal opposition as 12 states including New York, Delaware and Arizona sued the U.S. president over the policy. They claimed the president illegally invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act which exceeded presidential authority.
DAN RAYFIELD, Attorney General of Oregon: "These tariffs are unlawful. They're chaotic and harmful to the hardworking families and businesses that make our state thrive. They are not just numbers on a page. They are real costs in all of our wallets, your workplace and all of our future."
