Trump Signals Shift on China Tariffs, Open to Rollback Amid Consumer Impact Concerns

Trump Signals Shift on China Tariffs, Open to Rollback Amid Consumer Impact Concerns

April 17, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated a softer stance on tariffs against China, telling reporters on Wednesday that he is “not eager to raise tariffs further” and may even consider lowering them if rising costs begin to harm American consumers and domestic demand.

“At some point, I don’t want prices to get too high — because when things get too expensive, people stop buying,” Trump said. “I might not want to raise tariffs further — I might even want to cut them to keep people buying.”

📍 Room for Negotiation Emerging Trump also confirmed that Chinese officials have reached out several times to initiate dialogue, hinting at behind-the-scenes communications involving senior-level representatives he believes to be acting on behalf of President Xi Jinping.

“I have a very good relationship with President Xi,” Trump noted. “I think that relationship will remain strong. They’ve reached out to us several times — and I’m sure he knows exactly what’s going on.”

When asked if Xi himself had contacted him, Trump responded:
“In my mind, it doesn’t really matter — it’s coming from the top either way.”

📉 From Trade Tensions to Possible Thaw Trump’s comments mark a potential turning point after weeks of escalating trade tensions. The U.S. recently imposed a combined 145% tariff on Chinese goods, while China responded with a 125% retaliatory tariff on American imports.

Despite these record-high tariff levels, both sides have begun to hint at the possibility of returning to the negotiating table. The White House emphasized that “China must make the first move,” while Beijing stated it remains unclear what the U.S. ultimately expects.

🧩 What’s at Stake Analysts note that any potential easing of tariffs could lead to renewed trade talks, possibly addressing broader issues such as export controls on sensitive technology and the forced divestment of apps like TikTok in the U.S.

Trump’s openness to a tariff rollback comes as consumer prices rise and businesses grow increasingly concerned about sustained disruptions to global supply chains.