Trump Suggests 80% Tariff on Chinese Goods Ahead of U.S.-China Trade Talks
President Donald Trump signaled a potential shift in U.S.-China trade policy on Friday, suggesting via social media that an 80% tariff on Chinese imports "seems right."
The statement comes just days before high-level trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials set to take place in Switzerland this weekend.
“80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” Trump posted on Truth Social, referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is leading the U.S. delegation.
While an 80% tariff would represent a reduction from the 145% rate imposed on many Chinese goods since April, it remains far above traditional trade baselines. For comparison, the U.S.-U.K. trade agreement announced Thursday included a 10% standard tariff.
It’s unclear whether Trump sees the 80% figure as a final target or a negotiating position, but the comment reflects the administration’s aggressive posture toward reshaping global trade flows and pressuring China’s closed-market practices.
In a separate post Friday morning, Trump reiterated his stance:
“CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!”
China remains one of the U.S.’s top trading partners. In 2024, the U.S. exported $143.5 billion in goods to China and imported $438.9 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
