Trump Floats Cutting China Tariffs 'Substantially' in Trade Deal

It is a sign that he may be backing down from tough stance amid market volatility

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WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said he plans to be "very nice" to China in any trade talks and that tariffs will drop if the two countries can reach a deal, a sign that he may be backing down from his tough stance on Beijing amid market volatility.

"It will come down substantially, but it won't be zero," he said on April 22 in Washington, following earlier comments from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that the stand-off was unsustainable.

Mr Trump added that "we're going to be very nice, and they're going to be very nice, and we will see what happens".

He also said he did not see the need to say he would "play hardball" with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and that during discussions he would not raise Covid-19 - an issue that is very politically sensitive in Beijing.

The White House recently launched a website that suggested the virus came from a lab in China, irking the nation's diplomats.

Mr Trump's comments come as US stocks and Treasuries have been battered since he rolled out sweeping tariffs on April 2, later announcing a 90-day reprieve for most nations.

The 145 per cent duties that Mr Trump has placed on Chinese shipments in 2025 remain in place, though he has made exceptions for computers and popular consumer electronics.