President Trump downplayed concerns about the impact of the ongoing trade war with China on American consumers during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday. When asked about speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump expressed confidence that the conversation would occur. He noted the challenges faced by Chinese factories due to the tariffs and emphasized the need for a fair deal.
Trump remarked that the trade war might result in American children having fewer toys but stressed the importance of making equitable agreements. He criticized China for its trade practices, describing the country as a major offender in taking advantage of the United States. Since taking office, Trump has implemented tariffs of over 145% on Chinese products, significantly higher than the previous average rate.
The tariffs, combined with Beijing’s resistance to making concessions, have fueled speculation about a potential temporary reduction to encourage negotiations. Trump has previously questioned the necessity of importing goods from countries subject to tariffs, including Canada.