U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that he had a currency conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, indicating that he is conducting direct tariff negotiations.
In an interview article published by Time magazine on the 25th (local time), President Trump said, "President Xi called me," adding, "We are in the process of negotiating trade with China and I am setting the terms."
However, he did not disclose specific details such as when he had the conversation with President Xi. Considering that the interview with Time was conducted on the 22nd, it is presumed that the conversation between President Trump and President Xi took place prior to that.
President Trump said, "Hundreds of trade negotiations will be finalized within 3 to 4 weeks."
Regarding mutual tariff decisions, he noted, "We will determine it after looking at various factors such as the value-added taxes and tariffs of the counterpart country and how they treat the U.S."
Particularly mentioning South Korea and Japan, he stated, "The U.S. is bearing billions of dollars in military defense expenses for these countries," adding, "I plan to deal with tariffs separately." This suggests the possibility that tariff and defense cost negotiations will proceed separately.
President Trump also expressed confidence in the U.S. economy. He claimed, "Since I took office, prices have stabilized, and energy and food prices are decreasing."
In response to concerns about inflation, he remarked, "There was no inflation when I imposed tariffs in the past," stating, "The economy is about to grow explosively, and currently, hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign investments are flowing in."
He also mentioned investments from major U.S. big tech corporations like Apple and NVIDIA, stating, "They have no other options. If they don't invest in the U.S. now, they won't be able to handle the tariffs."
Regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Trump said, "If I had been president, this war would not have happened." He added, "Putin would have made a different choice if he were with me," stating, "This war belongs to Biden, and I have nothing to do with it."
He stated, "Peace is still possible," adding that this is only possible because he is president, and if someone else were president, (peace) would be impossible."
On the controversy surrounding NATO membership, he asserted, "Ukraine's move to join NATO was the genesis of the war." Regarding the Crimean issue, he remarked, "It was handed over by Obama (the former president), not by me," adding, "Realistically, Zelensky understands that Russia has no choice but to maintain Crimea."
At the end of the interview, President Trump stated, "The mention of a third term is not a joke; it means that many people want my leadership again."