Ex-Trump Official Lays Out Why China Might Be ‘Worried’ To Cut Tariff Deal

On Friday, a former Trump administration official and Asia expert explained why China might be hesitant to reach a trade agreement with the United States given President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs. The tension between Washington and Beijing rose last month when Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports by 145 percent, prompting China to retaliate with a 125 percent tariff. This escalation followed Trump’s announcement of global tariffs, with China facing the highest levies. Although tensions seemed to ease earlier this month after talks in Geneva, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned that the negotiations had stalled, leading Trump to accuse China of violating the preliminary agreement.

Daniel Kritenbrink, a former ambassador to Vietnam, pointed out that the back-and-forth on tariffs by the Trump administration could impact China’s willingness to finalize a trade deal with the U.S. During an interview, Kritenbrink highlighted concerns among negotiating teams from other countries regarding the administration’s reliability in honoring agreements. He stressed that China and other Asian nations prefer practical and lasting deals, emphasizing the need for consistency from the United States.

Kritenbrink noted that China is not only worried about the tariffs imposed under an emergency-powers law but also those implemented using other executive authorities, which could undermine any potential trade deals. When asked about the impact of tariff uncertainties on the U.S.’s global reputation, Kritenbrink emphasized the importance of consistency for international partners. Despite the challenges, he mentioned that American trading partners recognize the necessity of engaging with the U.S. and are willing to make deals if the administration shows a similar commitment.

In response to Trump’s comments on Truth Social regarding China’s economic situation, Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, highlighted ongoing communications between both countries to address economic and trade concerns. Moving forward, discussions between Washington and Beijing will focus on reducing tariffs and advancing trade agreements.