Trump: "No Withdrawal of 145% Tariffs Unless China Opens Its Markets"

"Let the United States Do Business in China"

U.S. President Donald Trump is responding to reporters' questions aboard his private plane en route to Rome, Italy, to attend Pope Francis's funeral on the 25th (local time). Photo by AP

U.S. President Donald Trump maintained a firm stance, stating that he cannot withdraw the high tariffs of up to 145% unless China opens its markets.

On the 25th (local time), aboard his private plane en route to Rome, Italy, to attend Pope Francis's funeral, President Trump told reporters, "Unless China makes substantial concessions, I will not withdraw the tariffs."

President Trump explained that by "substantial concessions," he means "allowing the United States to do business in China." He added, "Frankly, that's what we wanted, and we almost achieved it, but the Chinese side backed out of the agreement."

This is interpreted as referring to the U.S.-China tariff war that began in 2018 during Trump's first administration and the failure to fully implement the Phase One trade agreement with President Xi Jinping in early 2020.

Regarding the possibility of a 90-day extension of the tariff deferral for countries other than China, he said, "We will negotiate and we will reach an agreement," emphasizing, "The tariffs we set will be very reasonable, and that will be the end of the negotiations."

Regarding the reaction of the financial markets, he stated, "There will be a transitional period. People did not understand at first, but now they are starting to understand."

On the 9th of this month, immediately after the implementation of reciprocal tariffs by country, President Trump decided to defer tariffs for 90 days for more than 70 countries, excluding China, after the financial markets plunged. Recently, as the tariff conflict with China has intensified, he has repeatedly indicated his willingness to lower tariffs on Chinese goods.