As President Donald Trump’s trade negotiating team prepared for crucial talks with China, something unexpected happened—Trump took to social media to stir the pot before the official discussions even began. It was a typical move for the unpredictable leader, though it left Chinese officials puzzled and intrigued.

Trump’s surprise announcement suggested that he might reduce his 145% tariffs on Chinese imports to 80%. This public declaration, made just hours before key meetings in Geneva, appeared to be a negotiation tactic—a way to play his hand early. However, it wasn’t really a shock to his inner circle. In fact, internal discussions had already touched on the possibility of lowering tariffs as part of broader negotiations with China.

But it was certainly new information for Chinese officials, who are still trying to interpret Trump’s next move. Trump also mentioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the post, presenting him as the final decision-maker. This, however, was a strategic move aimed at elevating Bessent’s status in front of Chinese negotiators. In reality, both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would be the key players in any major deal.

The Talks Begin in Geneva

Bessent, along with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, arrived in Geneva for two days of high-level meetings with top Chinese officials. These talks weren’t expected to deliver immediate breakthroughs, but both sides were hopeful for tangible outcomes.

The White House has framed the U.S.-China negotiations as a distinct track from the broader array of trade deals Trump’s team is pursuing with other nations. While some of those deals, like those with South Korea and Japan, are seen as pressure points on China, the discussions in Geneva were focused more specifically on de-escalation and building trust between the two countries.

Trump’s team is aiming for gradual steps, including possible moves to address fentanyl production and the revival of the Phase One trade deal from his first term. Both sides also face concerns over rare earths export controls, though a comprehensive agreement would likely take years to negotiate.

Trump’s “Wild Card” Negotiation Style

Trump’s negotiating style is anything but conventional. He’s known for being a wild card—someone who can dramatically shift the course of negotiations at any moment. His team, though, is working hard to ensure that these meetings don’t descend into chaos. There have been promising signs that the U.S. and China are approaching the talks with a greater degree of respect and professionalism.

Top Chinese officials, including Xi’s economic advisor He Lifeng, are leading the delegation, signaling the seriousness of the discussions. On the U.S. side, Bessent and Greer are highly respected figures in Trump’s economic circle, ensuring that both sides have experienced negotiators at the table.

The Big Picture: Trump’s Focus on China

Trump’s approach to China has been deeply strategic. While there’s no shortage of tension in the U.S.-China relationship, Trump’s team believes that China cannot sustain a prolonged trade war with the U.S. The Chinese economy, already fragile, would be severely strained by a continued standoff with the world’s largest economy.

In the lead-up to these talks, Chinese officials have quietly reached out to U.S. counterparts, suggesting a willingness to address Trump’s key concerns—like the fentanyl issue. For Trump, striking a sweeping economic deal with China has been a long-standing goal, one he’s pursued with unwavering determination. His ambition to secure such a deal may be likened to his desire for a Nobel Peace Prize—an elusive but powerful symbol of success.

As the talks unfold, there’s a sense that Trump may push for a grand bargain, one that could reshape the economic landscape for both nations. But as always, the question remains: Will Trump stick to his strategy, or will he throw another curveball? Time will tell.

Source: CNN – Inside Trump’s negotiating strategy with China

The post How Trump is Shaping the U.S.-China Trade Negotiations appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

President Donald Trump indicated on Thursday that a U.S.-China trade deal could be within reach in the next three to four weeks. His comments followed a series of high-level talks between Chinese officials and the U.S. since he escalated tariffs on Chinese imports by nearly tripling them last week.

Speaking to reporters after signing executive orders aimed at deregulating the seafood industry, Trump addressed questions regarding the ongoing trade negotiations. When asked if he had spoken directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, the president remained tight-lipped but confirmed that Chinese officials had reached out “a lot” in recent days.

“They’ve reached out a number of times,” Trump said, confirming that high-level Chinese officials were in regular contact with the U.S. government. Trump’s remarks come after he imposed a sharp increase in tariffs, raising them from 54% to 145% on Chinese imports.

Despite media reports suggesting Trump’s refusal to initiate direct contact with China, Trump indicated that U.S. officials have been urging the Chinese to initiate a call with him. However, no such call has taken place yet.

When pressed about whether he had spoken to Xi directly, Trump neither confirmed nor denied the conversation but spoke highly of his relationship with the Chinese leader.

“I’ve never said whether or not it [has happened], but I have a very good relationship with President Xi, and I think it’s going to continue,” Trump explained. “They have reached out a number of times.”

The press quickly sought clarification about whether Trump was referring to Xi personally or other Chinese officials. Trump responded by emphasizing that he considered any communication from top Chinese officials to be directly tied to Xi, describing him as a “tight, strong, and smart” leader who is well-informed on the situation.

“It would be top levels of China, and if you knew Xi, you would know that if they reached out, he knew exactly – he knew everything about it,” Trump added. “We’re talking to China.”

Despite calls from some quarters for a quicker resolution to the trade dispute, Trump expressed confidence that there is “plenty of time” to secure a deal with China. He suggested that a resolution could be achieved within the next few weeks.

“I think maybe the whole thing could be concluded in three or four weeks,” Trump said, signaling his optimism about reaching an agreement.

However, the president also made it clear that he would be content with the outcome, even if a deal does not materialize.

“At a certain point, if we don’t make a deal, we’ll just set a limit. We’ll set a tariff. We’ll set some parameters, and we’ll say, ‘Come in and shop,’” Trump said. “They always have a right not to do it, so they can say, ‘We don’t want it, so we’re not going to shop there, we’re not going to shop in the store of America.’ We have something that nobody else has, and that’s the American consumer.”

Trump’s comments reflect his ongoing hardline stance on tariffs while also expressing a willingness to engage in further talks with China to resolve the long-running trade conflict.

Source: FOX News – Trump: China calling ‘a lot’ since last week’s tariff increase, deal could happen as soon as 3 weeks

The post Trump Hints U.S.-China Trade Deal Could Be Reached in Weeks appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.