Trump Will Be ‘Incredibly Gracious’ To China In Tariff Talks, Press Sec Says

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Tuesday that President Donald Trump wanted them to know that he would be “incredibly gracious” to China if the country reaches out before the Trump administration imposes a 104% retaliatory tariff.

Trump appears set to make good on his threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on China at 12:01 a.m. ET Wednesday. The president announced the additional tariff after China responded to Trump’s 34% so-called reciprocal tariff with a 34% tariff on United States goods. If China reaches out to negotiate before the massive tariff goes into effect, however, Trump said he will take their call.

“He believes China wants to make a deal with the United States. He believes China has to make a deal with the United States,” Leavitt said in the briefing room. “It was a mistake for China to retaliate. When America is punched, [Trump] punches back harder. That’s why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect tonight at midnight. … And the president also wanted me to tell all of you that if China reaches out to make a deal, he’ll be incredibly gracious, but he’s going to do what’s best for the American people.”

.@PressSec: "It was a mistake for China to retaliate. When America is punched, [President Trump] punches back harder. That's why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight… If China reaches out to make a deal, he will be incredibly gracious." pic.twitter.com/9H76xQsmQA

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 8, 2025

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that the White House is “waiting for [China’s] call,” adding that he is optimistic that it “will happen.”

“China also wants to make a deal, badly, but they don’t know how to get it started,” Trump said.

China called Trump’s tariff threat “blackmail” and urged the United States “to immediately correct its wrongdoings, cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, stop its economic and trade suppression, and settle differences with China properly through equal-footed #dialogue on the basis of mutual respect.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian added, “If the U.S. disregards the interests of both nations and the international community by persisting with tariff wars, China will have no choice but to fight to the end.”

As Trump seeks to force China’s hand, the White House is preparing for trade talks with multiple countries, including two of its closest allies in Asia, Japan and South Korea. Trump said Tuesday morning that South Korea is sending its “top team” to the United States to discuss a deal while Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will lead talks with Japanese leaders.

The stock market reacted positively early on Tuesday to the Trump administration’s upcoming talks with trade partners. As the day progressed, however, stocks dipped back into the red with anxiety still looming over Trump’s massive tariff on China.