By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a surprising development ahead of critical trade talks, President Donald Trump suggested Friday that the United States should consider easing tariffs on China.
The shift in tone comes as officials from both countries prepare to meet in Switzerland this weekend. The meeting marks the first face-to-face dialogue between U.S. and Chinese officials since the Trump administration imposed a sweeping 145% tariff on most Chinese imports — and since China responded with a 125% duty on many American exports.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote, “80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B.” — referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who, along with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will lead the weekend talks in Geneva.
The economic fallout has been felt on both sides. Chinese factory output has slumped, and U.S. GDP growth took a hit in the first quarter of the year.
“While it’s a concern right now, we’re not at a crisis situation,” said Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) in a recent interview. “We need to get market share in order to support everything that this country is doing, not just here, but also globally. We can’t afford not to be there, not just for us, but also not for the rest of the world.”
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) echoed a similar sentiment during a recent interview, stressing the importance of fair trade and national security.
“We’re not going to stop trade with China. Anybody who thinks that’s possible — it’s very hard to stop trade with China,” said McCormick. “What we want to do is make sure China is dealing with us in a fair way, that they don’t have tariffs or non-tariff barriers or currency manipulation that’s creating an unfair deal for the American worker.”
McCormick added: “We also want to make sure China is not the place where key things to America’s security are being manufactured: pharmaceuticals, semiconductors. We can’t be dependent on China for that.”
“They’re trying to displace America as the sole superpower,” McCormick said. “So by having great deals with countries nearby, great trade deals, I think that takes us in the right direction.”
The outcome of this weekend’s talks could shape the next phase of U.S.-China economic relations and signal whether a long-standing trade war may finally begin to cool.