US President Donald Trump announced today, Friday, the possibility of reducing customs duties on China from 145% to 80%, before negotiations between the two countries in Switzerland over mitigating trade tensions between them.
“It seems that the imposition of customs duties by 80% on China is the appropriate level!”, Trump, according to the French Press Agency.
He added that “the matter is due to Scott B,” referring to the head of the negotiating delegation on behalf of Washington, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, who will meet Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Leving this week in Geneva in an effort to calm tension in global markets.
Trump did not mention in his publication whether he believed that 80% should be the final level of fees on Chinese goods if the trade war stops, or it is just a temporary situation.
In another publication in large letters, Trump wrote, “China must open its market to the United States, that will be very beneficial to them. The closed markets are no longer feasible.”
Trump’s comments are the latest indication of tension reduction between the two largest economies in the world.
Trump said that the agreement with Britain will be the first among many other agreements, and that he hopes that the tester with the European Union, as well as China, will also be results soon.
Many countries want talks with Washington to avoid Trump fees, which ranged from 10% on many countries to exorbitant fees for China, Trump’s main goal.
Trump at the White House said on Thursday – during the disclosure of the details of a new trade agreement between the United States and Britain – he expected important negotiations between the United States and China on trade early next week, suggesting the reduction of customs duties imposed on China, amounting to 145%.
The New York Post reported yesterday – quoting unnamed sources – that Trump is studying a plan to reduce the 145% customs duties on Chinese imports in more than half next week, while the White House denied the report and described it as just speculation.
Official data showed today, Friday, that China’s exports to the United States fell by 17.6% last month compared to the previous month.
The total value of Chinese exports to the United States amounted to $ 33 billion last April, compared to $ 40.1 billion in March 2025, according to data from the General Administration of Chinese Customs.
Trade between the two largest economies in the world decreased since Trump imposed customs tariffs – and some cumulative fees reached 245% – while China responded by imposing fees of 125% in addition to other measures.
For its part, a spokesman for the World Trade Organization said on Friday that the trade talks between the United States and China in Geneva early next week are a positive and constructive step towards defusing tension between the two countries.
