US President Donald Trump expressed a willingness to negotiate with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on issues concerning Taiwan and trade. In an interview aired on January 23 by Fox News, Trump highlighted the United States' leverage in negotiations, referencing a "pot of gold" he believes China desires. This statement follows Trump's recent inauguration and reflects his administration's stance on one of the country's most significant economic competitors.
Trump emphasized the potential tariffs as a substantial bargaining tool. He stated that while he would "rather not" impose tariffs, the option remains on the table, with a proposed 10% tariff on all Chinese imports potentially taking effect on February 1. Previously, during his campaign, Trump suggested tariffs could go as high as 60%, demonstrating his commitment to using economic measures to influence trade relations.
"I can do that because we have something that they want, we have a pot of gold."
— US President Donald Trump
Despite these strong statements, Trump conveyed a preference to avoid tariffs, viewing them as a measure of last resort. He recognized their power but expressed a desire not to wield it unless necessary. Trump's approach underscores the complexity of navigating trade relations with China, the United States' largest economic rival.
"We have one very big power over China, and that's tariffs, and they don't want them, and I'd rather not have to use it. But it's a tremendous power over China."
— US President Donald Trump
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has advocated for resolving trade differences through dialogue. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning remarked on the mutual benefits of China-US economic and trade cooperation and cautioned against the pitfalls of tariff wars.
"Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners and don't serve anyone's interests or the world's interests."
— Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning
Beijing has called for both nations to address their disputes via consultation, emphasizing peaceful negotiations as the preferred path forward. As Trump embarks on his presidency, how these economic strategies will unfold remains to be seen.
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