Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said on the 7th (local time) that he is not considering mutual tariff exemptions and that he will continue dialogue with China.
Following his initial remarks after a summit with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House in Washington, D.C., Trump dismissed reporters' questions about whether he was reviewing a request for a 90-day tariff exemption, stating, "We are not considering that."
He added, "Many countries are currently coming to us to enter into trade agreements," noting that "some will face significant tariffs."
Currently, the United States is imposing a basic tariff of 10% on all countries under Trump's executive order, which has been in effect since the 5th, and beginning on the 9th, mutual tariffs will be gradually applied by country.
In response to China's announced retaliation tariffs of 34% against the U.S., Trump remarked, "They are already imposing outrageous tariff rates, and they added 34% on top of that," adding, "What I said is that if China does not withdraw those tariffs by noon tomorrow (the 8th), we will add an additional 50% to the existing tariffs imposed by the U.S."
On that day, after a media report stated, "Mutual tariffs could be waived for 90 days," the White House immediately denied it, describing it as "fake news misinterpreting the context."
Later, Trump warned again in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, saying, "If China does not withdraw its plan for a 34% tariff, I will impose an additional 50% tariff."
However, during a press conference at the White House on the same day, he stated, "I have maintained a good relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping," adding, "I hope that relationship continues in the future."
He continued, stating, "We will continue to have discussions with several countries, including China," emphasizing that "if we can truly achieve fair transactions, it will be a good transaction for the United States, not for other countries, and right now, the U.S. comes first."