A former Trump administration official and expert on Asia highlighted on Friday why China might hesitate to strike a trade deal with the United States amid President
Donald Trump's tariff threats. Tensions between Washington and Beijing hit a boiling point last month, when Trump ratcheted up tariffs on Chinese imports to a whopping 145 percent, to which China responded with a 125 percent retaliatory tariff. The moves came after Trump announced—and then walked back—sweeping global tariffs against almost every U.S. trading partner, with China facing the steepest levies.
U.S.-China tensions appeared to simmer down earlier this month, when representatives for the two countries met in Geneva and agreed to partially reduce their tariffs on each other while they negotiated a more long-term trade agreement.
But Treasury Secretary
Scott Bessent said this week that the talks had "stalled" and Trump on Friday accused China of violating the preliminary agreement, adding, "So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!"
