Trump Says He Will Not Preemptively Lower 145% Tariff for Talks With China

India-Pakistan Conflict "Horrible"
"Decisions Must Be Made on Ukraine War"
Hints at Possible Lifting of Semiconductor Export Controls to the Middle East

On the eve of high-level trade talks between the United States and China, President Donald Trump drew a line against the possibility of preemptively lowering the "tariff bomb" imposed on China to facilitate negotiations.

According to U.S. economic media outlets CNBC and AP, President Trump was asked during the swearing-in ceremony for David Perdue as U.S. Ambassador to China at the White House whether he was willing to reduce the 145% tariff on Chinese goods to bring China to the negotiating table. He replied, "No."

EPA Yonhap News

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and U.S. Trade Representative Jamison Greer are scheduled to begin trade negotiations with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and others in Geneva, Switzerland, starting on the 10th. China has cited tariff relief as a prerequisite for trade talks, but President Trump's remarks suggest that the United States will not take conciliatory steps such as lowering tariffs first in order to achieve progress in the U.S.-China negotiations.

President Trump also denied China's claim that the United States had requested the negotiations in Switzerland.

When asked what results he expects from the upcoming talks, he said, "We'll see," and added, "We used to lose $1 trillion every year, but now we're losing nothing. That's how I see it."

Asked whether he would announce additional tariff exemptions, he said, "I want to make it nice and simple, and I'm not considering creating too many exemptions," but added, "However, I will look into it."

Regarding the armed conflict between India and Pakistan, President Trump described it as "horrible." He added, "I hope they stop right now," and "If there is anything I can do to help, I will do it."

On the Russia-Ukraine war, he said, "We are approaching a point where some decisions have to be made." However, he did not specify what those decisions might be and added, "I'm not happy about it."

Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that if there is no progress in mediating the Russia-Ukraine war, the United States may withdraw its involvement. Vice President JD Vance also emphasized the need for direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine on the same day. Considering this, President Trump's remarks may indicate that the United States will not continue its mediation efforts indefinitely.

President Trump commented on Vice President Vance's statement that "Russia is demanding too much as a condition to end the war," saying, "It's possible."

Regarding Russia's plans to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory Day (World War II Victory Day) on May 9 with great ceremony, President Trump said, "Russia was certainly a main factor in the victory (in World War II), but not as significant as we (the United States) were," and added, "We won the war with the help of other countries." President Trump also announced that he had signed a proclamation officially designating the day as World War II Victory Day.

Ahead of his trip to the Middle East, President Trump was asked whether he could lift semiconductor export controls on certain Middle Eastern countries. He replied, "I can," and added, "It will be announced soon." This is interpreted as a signal that the export restrictions imposed on some Middle Eastern countries under the phased semiconductor export controls introduced by the Joe Biden administration will be eased.

Regarding Gaza, President Trump said, "There is a lot being discussed," and added, "We will probably know within 24 hours."

On the ceasefire agreement with Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have attacked Western merchant ships and warships in the Red Sea, he said, "We achieved a good result." In mid-March, the United States redesignated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and conducted airstrikes on Houthi bases in Yemen. President Trump declared a ceasefire the previous day, stating, "The Houthis have surrendered. They said they will no longer blow up ships."