"Respecting My Friend Xi Jinping"
...Expresses Optimism for Negotiations
After imposing a 145% tariff bomb on China, U.S. President Donald Trump sent a conciliatory message saying he "wants a deal." Although the U.S.-China trade war is escalating into a 'strong versus strong' standoff with no concessions, there is analysis that he wants to avoid a catastrophe and find a compromise. He also left open the possibility of extending the mutual tariff exemption measures for countries other than China.
On the 10th (local time), President Trump, presiding over a cabinet meeting at the White House, told reporters, "We will see what happens with China." He said, "I have great respect for Chinese President Xi Jinping, and he has been a true friend of mine for a long time," adding, "I think it will end with a very good result for both countries."
The day before, President Trump raised the mutual tariff rate to 125% against China, which had declared retaliatory measures against the U.S. in response to mutual tariffs. The White House explained that when adding the existing 20% tariff imposed on China over fentanyl control issues, the total additional tariff rate on China rises to 145%. This contrasts with the mutual tariff exemptions applied to other countries except China, where only a basic 10% tariff was applied.
However, President Trump is narrowing the tariff front to China and increasing pressure on China while repeatedly emphasizing his willingness for dialogue and negotiation. There is analysis that China is the target of the tariff war, and observations suggest that President Trump wants to avoid a full-scale war with China, the world's second-largest economy.
On the 8th, President Trump also wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, "China wants a deal too but doesn’t know how to start," adding, "We are waiting for their call. It will happen." Last month, President Xi hinted at the possibility of a summit by saying he would "visit (the U.S.) in the not-too-distant future."
When asked about extending the 90-day mutual tariff exemption, President Trump said, "We will see what happens then," leaving the possibility open. However, he explained that if negotiations are not concluded during the three-month exemption period, the originally set country-specific mutual tariff rates will be reinstated.
Furthermore, he stated that the goals of the tariff policy are to reduce the federal government deficit, secure tax revenue, and improve the deficit budget issue.
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