Trump Declares ‘Total Reset’ in US-China Trade Relations After Geneva Talks
President Trump announced a “total reset” in US-China trade relations after initial negotiations in Geneva. Both sides are looking to ease tensions spurred by hefty tariffs, yet significant sticking points remain. The negotiations focus on de-escalation rather than a comprehensive trade deal, with both countries needing to make concessions to move forward.
In a significant turn of events, US President Donald Trump announced a “total reset” in trade relations with China following the initial day of high-stakes negotiations in Geneva. This move comes after a series of tensions ignited by his aggressive tariff strategy. Trump, expressing optimism about the dialogue, described the talks as “very good” and added that they achieved a friendly yet constructive outcome.
Posting on Truth Social, Trump said, “We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business,” emphasizing the need for cooperation. He highlighted the talks with a spirited declaration of “GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!” signaling a positive tone towards where discussions might lead.
The American delegation, which included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, marking the first round of negotiations since tariffs were introduced last month—sparking backlash from Beijing. Sources close to the negotiation revealed that further discussions would take place on Sunday.
The negotiation site, a secluded villa at the Swiss ambassador’s residence to the United Nations, set the stage for discreet conversations aimed at calming trade anxiety. Currently, the tariffs imposed by Trump on China stand at a daunting 145 percent, while individual goods face tariffs as high as 245 percent. China’s response has been equally stern, instituting 125 percent tariffs on US imports, which led to a strained trade relationship often described as a near embargo.
On the eve of these talks, Trump hinted at a possible reduction in tariffs, creating some speculation about how low they might go, stating an “80% Tariff on China seems right!” However, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that this would not occur unilaterally, requiring concessions from China first.
Amid these discussions, Bessent pointed out that the meetings would primarily seek “de-escalation” rather than pursuing a comprehensive trade agreement. China’s stance remains clear: they expect the US to lift tariffs before making any revisions to the current trade arrangements.
Xinhua, China’s state news outlet, stressed that “trade wars and tariff battles yield no winners,” reinforcing Beijing’s position. Optimism was present on the Chinese side as well, buoyed by reports of a surprising increase in exports last month, attributed to adjustments in trade routes aimed at circumventing US tariffs.
Notably, this meeting came just days after Trump announced a separate trade agreement with Britain, which marks his first negotiated deal since implementing extensive tariffs globally. This five-page, non-binding agreement involved commitments from both sides to adjust relevant tariffs, but it still left a baseline 10-percent levy on most British goods intact.
With the President hinting at potential flexibility regarding tariffs, it remains to be seen how this will unfold as the discussions continue over the weekend. As both parties enter these negotiations, there is cautious hope that this reset could pave the way for more stable economic relationships moving forward.
President Trump’s declaration of a ‘total reset’ following talks in Geneva has raised expectations for US-China trade relations, marred by aggressive tariffs and retaliation. While both sides appear open to further dialogue, significant hurdles remain, particularly the stringent tariffs. Observers will be keen to see if any real progress emerges from these discussions as tensions have persisted for months. The road ahead remains uncertain, but at least the conversation is reopening.
Original Source: www.bryantimes.com
