U.S. President Donald Trump suggested on the 23rd (local time) that he could decide on the tariff levels against China within the next 2-3 weeks.
During a signing ceremony for an executive order at the White House that afternoon, President Trump met with reporters and, in response to a question about the possibility of lowering tariffs on China, said, “It seems we could also have special negotiations with China.”
He stated, “If we don’t negotiate with any corporations or countries, we will set the tariff ourselves,” adding, “Within 2-3 weeks, we plan to determine the tariff rates we can choose, which could be related to China.” He further remarked, “Ultimately, we will have a great negotiation.”
Currently, there are no official trade negotiations taking place between the U.S. and China. However, President Trump noted regarding the possibility of direct negotiations with China, “I do it every day.”
Scott P. Bevin, the Secretary of the Treasury, also commented on the 'bomb tariffs' mutually imposed by the U.S. and China, stating, “Both sides know that it is not a sustainable level, corresponding to the sanctions.”
During an event with the Institute of International Finance (IIF) that day, Secretary Bevin responded to a question about whether easing tensions would mean a reduction in U.S. tariffs on China and Chinese tariffs on the U.S. by saying, “I think it should happen.”