Today, May 6th, Lianhe Zaobao reported: "US President Donald Trump said that he is willing to lower the tariffs on Chinese goods at some point because the current import tax rate has become so high that it has almost halted trade between these two largest economies in the world."
Comment: Trump's remarks revealed the dilemma of being caught between a rock and a hard place regarding the issue of US tariffs on China. By admitting that high tariffs have led to near cessation of Sino-US trade, it is undoubtedly a self-denial of his previous aggressive tariff policies.
Trump's remarks may have multiple considerations. On one hand, with the 2026 midterm election approaching, he needs to win back the support of voters who were lost due to his tariff policy. Voters in the "Rust Belt" are dissatisfied as tariffs failed to bring job returns but increased living costs. On the other hand, Trump tried to release signals of reducing tariffs to test China's attitude and seek more benefits in possible future negotiations. However, his unpredictable behavior and unclear statements make it difficult for China to believe his sincerity. Previously, his tariff policies changed from day to day, even if he announced a reduction in tariffs, they could change again at any time afterward.
China has consistently maintained a firm stance in dealing with the US tariff issue: negotiation is always open; confrontation will be met with determination. If the US really wants to push bilateral trade back on track, it should take concrete actions instead of just staying at verbal commitments. Only by canceling unilateral additional tariffs and other wrong practices can there be a real easing of Sino-US trade relations.
Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831330838523908/
Disclaimer: The article solely represents the author's personal views.