Two Days In, China Wants to Negotiate Trump’s Tariffs

Clear Facts

• The Chinese government is preparing to initiate trade talks with the U.S. following President Trump’s imposition of a 10% tariff on China.
• China aims to restore a trade agreement from 2020 that was not implemented during Biden’s presidency.
• Beijing criticized the tariffs, attributing the fentanyl crisis as “America’s problem,” while U.S. deaths from synthetic opioids, mainly fentanyl, reached 73,838 in 2022.

In a swift response to President Donald Trump’s recent tariff imposition, China is reportedly gearing up to engage in trade discussions with the United States. This move comes just days after Trump announced a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, signaling a potential shift in the ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.

Beijing is eager to prevent further tariffs and is preparing to discuss trade relations with the U.S. The Chinese government is reportedly focusing on reviving a trade agreement that was signed during Trump’s first term in 2020 but remained unimplemented during former President Joe Biden’s tenure.

The White House justified the tariffs by highlighting the “extraordinary threat posed by illegal aliens and drugs, including deadly fentanyl,” declaring it a national emergency.

The administration emphasized that tariffs are a “powerful, proven source of leverage for protecting the national interest.”

In response, Beijing criticized the tariffs, labeling the fentanyl crisis as “America’s problem.” Despite this stance, the numbers are stark, with U.S. deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl, rising to 73,838 in 2022. The global supply chain for fentanyl often begins with chemical companies in China, passing through Mexico before reaching the U.S.

The backdrop of these developments is a growing concern over China’s influence and its implications for U.S. national security. There have been instances of intellectual property theft by China, adding to the tensions.

In recent years, there has also been a significant increase in Chinese migrants crossing the U.S. border illegally, with thousands reportedly entering the country in 2024.

President Trump has long advocated for imposing tariffs on foreign countries, including China, Mexico, and Canada. His first presidency saw the implementation of various trade restrictions against Beijing, sparking a trade war in early 2018. As tensions continue to rise, Beijing has warned that there would be “no winners” in a renewed trade conflict.

Ahead of his recent inauguration, Trump mentioned having a “very good” phone conversation with China’s President Xi Jinping, discussing issues such as fentanyl and trade.

The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on these developments.

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