New U.S. ambassador to China sworn in as Trump will not bring down China 145 percent tariff
發佈日期: 2025-05-08 19:30
TVB News
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with senior Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend.
China has made the de-escalation of tariffs a requirement for trade negotiations as U.S. President Donald Trump insists he won't reduce the 145 percent tariffs on goods from the country.
This as a new U.S. ambassador to China, David Perdue, is sworn in at the White House. Perdue previously lived in Hong Kong.
Tracey Furniss has more.
Taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office U.S. President Donald Trump was not in the mood to negotiate regarding his decision on imposing a high tariff on China.
U.S. President Donald Trump said: "We were losing with China on trade a trillion dollars a year. More, actually. One-point-one but let's say a trillion. You know what we're losing now? Nothing. That's not bad."
Reporter: "China says in order to have substantive negotiations, you have to bring down your 145 percent tariffs. Are you open to pulling back your tariffs in order to get China to the negotiating table."
Donald Trump said: "No."
And that was not all they disagreed on.
Reporter: "China said the U.S. initiated the trade talks this weekend and that its position hasn't changed. Are you still confident you can still reach a deal with China."
Donald Trump said: "They said we initiated it? Well, I think they ought to go back and study their files. Okay?"
Also in the Oval Office Wednesday.
"I, David Perdue, do solemnly swear. (Do solemnly swear) That I will support and defend. (That I will support and defend) the Constitution of the United States, (the Constitution of the United States)"
David Perdue was sworn in as the new U.S. ambassador to China. A former senator and business executive working in Asia, Perdue previously lived and worked in Hong Kong.
Donald Trump said: "As our lead diplomat in Beijing, David will work to promote American interest and stability in the Indo-Pacific, help stop the flood of Chinese fentanyl across our borders, which we have to do. We lost, i believe 300,000 people last year. This is a very, very extraordinary man. And you're going to do a fantastic job and say hello to President Xi when you're over there please."
