President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports jumped up to 50% on Wednesday as he continues to push for American trading partners to propose new trade deals to avoid heightened levies.
In an executive order signed Tuesday, Trump said it was necessary to double steel and aluminum tariffs for national security purposes. The hike comes as the White House <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-warns-trade-partners-that-deadline-for-new-proposals-looms-friendly-reminder?author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Warns+Trade+Partners+That+Deadline+For+New+Proposals+Looms%3A+‘Friendly+Reminder’">gave</a> a Wednesday deadline for American trading partners to submit counterproposals to the &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs Trump imposed back in April. 
“In my judgment, the increased tariffs will more effectively counter foreign countries that continue to offload low-priced, excess steel and aluminum in the United States market and thereby undercut the competitiveness of the United States steel and aluminum industries,” Trump wrote in the executive order. “I have determined that increasing the previously imposed tariffs will provide greater support to these industries and reduce or eliminate the national security threat posed by imports of steel and aluminum articles and their derivative articles.” 
Trump first announced last week that he would take action to increase the tariffs on steel and aluminum, saying it would help the industry and American workers. 
“Our steel and aluminum industries are coming back like never before. This will be yet another BIG jolt of great news for our wonderful steel and aluminum workers,” he <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114599330494282325">said</a> in a Truth Social post after a speech at a steel plant in Pennsylvania on Friday.
Last month, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/made-in-america-trump-says-u-s-steel-will-remain-in-pittsburgh-partner-with-japanese-company?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=24&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=‘Made+In+America’%3A+Trump+Says+U.S.+Steel+Will+Remain+In+Pittsburgh%2C+Partner+With+Japanese+Company" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced</a> that U.S. Steel, once the largest steel company in the world, would partner with the Japanese company Nippon Steel. U.S. Steel, which has struggled in recent years, was set to be sold to the Japanese company before the deal was blocked by former President Joe Biden. The company will remain headquartered in Pittsburgh, and Trump said the partnership would result in 70,000 jobs. 
The tariff increases come after White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said American trading partners had been reminded that the deadline to propose new trade agreements with the United States was on Wednesday, saying &#8220;the president expects good deals,&#8221; adding, &#8220;And we are on track for that, I will emphasize.&#8221; 
Most of Trump’s reciprocal tariffs have been paused until July 8 to allow time for negotiations.
 One major trade deal with the United Kingdom has already been announced, but talks with China have been rocky. After agreeing to significantly lower tariffs, Trump accused the communist country of violating their agreement. 
Trump said Wednesday on Truth Social that Chinese President Xi Jinping was being difficult in negotiations. 
“I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”

President Trump Holds Rally At US Steel Near Pittsburgh

Trump Doubles Tariffs On Steel And Aluminum Imports As Trade Deadline Hits

China

Donald Trump

Economy

Executive

Politics

Steel industry

Tariffs

trade

Trade War

President Donald Trump said on Friday that China &#8220;HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT&#8221; with the United States as the administration continues to negotiate with the communist country on a larger trade deal.
Trump said that despite his efforts to &#8220;save&#8221; China from &#8220;a very bad situation,&#8221; the Chinese government did not abide by its deal with the United States. The president did not specify how China broke the agreement, but Trump&#8217;s top trade officials have said that China is slowing down trade talks and failing to fulfill its promises from the 90-day tariff truce struck between the two countries earlier this month.
&#8220;Two weeks ago China was in grave economic danger! The very high Tariffs I set made it virtually impossible for China to TRADE into the United States marketplace which is, by far, number one in the World. We went, in effect, COLD TURKEY with China, and it was devastating for them. Many factories closed and there was, to put it mildly, &#8216;civil unrest.&#8217; I saw what was happening and didn’t like it, for them, not for us. I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation, and I didn’t want to see that happen,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114596705340367716" target="_blank" rel="noopener">posted</a> on Truth Social.
&#8220;Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy!&#8221; the president added. &#8220;That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!&#8221;
The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-china-release-details-of-agreement-to-dramatically-slash-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deal</a> agreed upon earlier this month between the United States and China brought Trump&#8217;s so-called reciprocal tariff on China down to 10% while keeping the 20% fentanyl tariff in place. China, meanwhile, dropped its retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods to 10%. Those new tariff rates went into effect on May 14, but would only last for 90 days as the United States and China continue to negotiate a larger trade agreement.
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Trump&#8217;s post on Truth Social blasting China for violating the deal came just hours after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdyXQv5WTYE" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> Fox News host Bret Baier that the talks with China &#8220;are a bit stalled.&#8221; Bessent added that negotiations will hopefully resume &#8220;in the next few weeks.&#8221;
Similarly, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told CNBC that China has been slow-walking in its compliance with the trade agreement, particularly regarding the flow of rare earth minerals, which China promised to again export to the United States after restricting shipments in response to Trump&#8217;s tariffs.
“We haven’t seen the flow of some of those critical minerals as they were supposed to be doing,” Greer <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-30/trump-says-china-violated-its-trade-agreement-with-us">said</a>, adding, “China continues to slow down and choke off things like critical minerals and rare Earth magnets.”
The Trump administration is also in a legal battle over the president&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs. A federal appeals court <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/appeals-court-puts-trumps-sweeping-liberation-day-tariffs-back-in-place" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reinstated</a> Trump&#8217;s tariffs on Thursday after the New York-based Court of International Trade ruled on Wednesday that Trump overstepped his authority when issuing them.

Trump Accuses China Of Violating Trade Agreement: ‘So Much For Being Mr. Nice Guy’

Trump Administration

The White House is banking on the highest court in the land to save President Donald Trump&#8217;s sweeping tariffs on foreign nations that were blocked by a trio of judges in an ongoing legal fight this week.
&#8220;These judges are threatening to undermine the credibility of the United States on the world stage,&#8221; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a briefing on Thursday, adding moments later, &#8220;Ultimately, the Supreme Court must put an end to this, for the sake of our Constitution and our country.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/PressSec?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PressSec</a>: &#8220;Last night the Trump administration faced another example of judicial overreach&#8230;Three judges of the U.S. Court of international trade&#8230;brazenly abused their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump&#8230;the courts should have no role here.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/NchnASHzJP">pic.twitter.com/NchnASHzJP</a>
— CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1928144137611522120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
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On Wednesday, a three-judge panel of the New York-based Court of International Trade <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-court-blocks-trumps-sweeping-liberation-day-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> Trump&#8217;s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA) and struck down his sweeping levies on imports from countries around the world.
The Trump administration is challenging the ruling and <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cafc.23106/gov.uscourts.cafc.23106.7.0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">says</a> it &#8220;plans to seek emergency relief from the Supreme Court&#8221; on Friday &#8220;to avoid irreparable national-security and economic harms at stake&#8221; if a federal appeals court does not provide interim relief.
Leavitt said the U.S. Court of International Trade judges &#8220;abused their judicial power to usurp the authority of President Trump&#8221; and &#8220;failed to acknowledge that the President of the United States has core foreign affairs powers and authority given to him by Congress to protect the United States economy and national security.&#8221;
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After the Republican-led Senate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/senate-rejects-bid-to-stop-trumps-liberation-day-tariffs-vance-stifles-attempt-to-resurrect-it" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rejected</a> last month a resolution spearheaded by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) to stop the national emergency declaration that Trump used to impose his “Liberation Day” tariffs, the courts &#8220;should have no role here,&#8221; Leavitt insisted.
&#8220;America cannot function if President Trump, or any other president for that matter, has their sensitive diplomatic or trade negotiations railroaded by activist judges,&#8221; Leavitt said, alluding to negotiations the U.S. is having with other nations to strike trade deals.
There are more hurdles ahead for the Trump administration. Another federal judge issued a <a href="https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-5-29-2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruling</a> on Thursday, around when Leavitt spoke to reporters, that placed a stoppage on the president&#8217;s tariffs.
In a post on X, Sen. Paul <a href="https://x.com/RandPaul/status/1928111254704386119" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>, &#8220;I have said time and time again that the Founders wanted to prevent one person from having unilateral control and decision-making powers. That’s why the power of the purse and the ability to tax lie with Congress, not the president.&#8221;

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt

SCOTUS ‘Must Put An End’ To Tariff Blockage, White House Says

Judges

Karoline Leavitt

Rand Paul

Supreme Court

White House

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is pushing back the deadline to raise tariffs on imports from the European Union after a conversation with its leader, who says more time is needed to hash out a &#8220;good deal.&#8221;
In a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114570775887793036" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Truth Social, Trump shared that the deadline of June 1 to raise the tariff rate from 10% to 50% — which he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-fires-off-flurry-of-trade-war-barbs-threatens-apple?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Fires+Off+Flurry+Of+Trade+War+Barbs%2C+Threatens+Apple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> on Friday — would be delayed until July 9. The president said he decided to delay the tariffs after receiving a call from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
&#8220;I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50% Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so. The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&#8221;
Von der Leyen said she had a &#8220;good call&#8221; with Trump in a post on X.
&#8220;The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,&#8221; von der Leyen <a href="https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1926729529436913794" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.&#8221;
Just before Memorial Day weekend began, Trump declared he would impose a 50% tariff on products from the European Union, apparently moving up the deadline of the 90-day pause of his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs for the European bloc by a little more than a month.
“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,&#8221; Trump said at the time. &#8220;Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere!&#8221;
&#8220;Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025,&#8221; he added. &#8220;There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States.&#8221;
Trump <a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1926765292371198342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday that von der Leyen &#8220;wants to get down to serious negotiation.&#8221;
Earlier this month, the United States and China <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-china-release-details-of-agreement-to-dramatically-slash-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agreed</a> to lower steep tariffs above 100% imposed on each other&#8217;s goods as they continue trade discussions. Trump administration officials have also unveiled a trade deal <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-u-s-uk-reach-historic-trade-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">framework</a> with the United Kingdom and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sorry-china-bessent-says-deal-with-massive-trade-partner-very-close" target="_blank" rel="noopener">teased</a> more deals in the making with other nations dealing with &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs, including many facing the prospect of higher rates above the 10% baseline once the 90-day pause expires.

President Donald Trump

Trump Delays 50% Tariffs On EU After Its Leader Blinks

European Union

U.S.

The United States and China on Monday announced an agreement to significantly reduce tariffs for 90 days while trade negotiations continue after top American and Chinese officials met in Switzerland over the weekend.
The deal means that President Donald Trump&#8217;s 125% reciprocal tariff on China will be reduced to 10%, with a 20% fentanyl tariff still in place, a significant drop from the 145% tariff placed on Chinese goods in the last few weeks. China will drop its retaliatory tariffs on the United States from 125% to 10%. The reductions are to be in place by Wednesday, May 14.
“After taking the aforementioned actions, the Parties will establish a mechanism to continue discussions about economic and trade relations,” said a joint statement from the United States and China. &#8220;These discussions may be conducted alternately in China and the United States, or a third country upon agreement of the Parties. As required, the two sides may conduct working-level consultations on relevant economic and trade issues.&#8221;
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and China Vice Premier of the State Council He Lifeng will continue discussions.
&#8220;I would say one of the big takeaways from this weekend — the United States will continue a strategic rebalancing in many areas that were exposed as supply chain weaknesses during COVID, whether it&#8217;s medicines, whether it&#8217;s semiconductors, steel,&#8221; Bessent said. &#8220;We will continue moving toward U.S. independence or reliable supplies from allies on those — but the consensus from both delegations this weekend is neither side wants a decoupling.&#8221;
China will also suspend non-tariff actions taken against the United States since April 2 such as restrictions on exports of rare earths and penalties for certain American companies.
Bessent added that he would like to see China open to more American goods and said that the two countries now have a mechanism in place to continue trade discussions. He <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/05/12/treasury-secretary-bessent-says-hes-likely-to-meet-with-china-again-in-next-few-weeks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">later told</a> CNBC that he expected to meet with Chinese officials again in a few weeks to work toward a more &#8220;fulsome agreement.&#8221;
“We tried to identify shared interest,” he said. “We came with a list of problems that we were trying to solve, and I think we did a good job on that.”
The White House also wants to rebalance trade with China, noting in a release that the trade deficit with the communist country was $295.4 billion in 2024.
Bessent said that the Biden administration had failed to make China abide by previous trade agreements.
&#8220;We had an excellent trade agreement with China — and the Biden Administration chose not to enforce it,&#8221; he said. &#8220;The Chinese delegation basically told us that once President Biden came into office, they just ignored their obligations.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecScottBessent</a>: &#8220;We had an excellent trade agreement with China — and the Biden Administration chose not to enforce it. The Chinese delegation basically told us that once President Biden came into office, they just ignored their obligations.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/Sv8pxVrazf">pic.twitter.com/Sv8pxVrazf</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1921896843610403005?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Greer noted that Chinese officials had indicated that they would be taking more steps to crackdown on the flow of fentanyl originating in China into the United States.
&#8220;Both the Chinese and the United States agreed to work constructively together on fentanyl and there&#8217;s a positive path forward there as well,&#8221; he told reporters.
Bessent noted that the Chinese Deputy Minister for Public Safety, who he noted was not &#8220;traditionally part of the trade team,&#8221; was present at the talks over the weekend. He said that official had a &#8220;robust and highly detailed&#8221; discussion on the fentanyl issue.
Stock markets worldwide surged due to the temporary agreement, and the U.S. stock futures also jumped.

SWITZERLAND-US-CHINA-DIPLOMACY-TARIFF-TRADE

U.S., China Release Details Of Agreement To Dramatically Slash Tariffs

Scott Bessent

After two days of talks in Switzerland, President Donald Trump&#8217;s envoys touted what they said was significant movement toward reaching a trade deal with China.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters on Sunday that there was <a href="https://x.com/business/status/1921615311838577125" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;substantial progress&#8221;</a> and a &#8220;great deal of productivity&#8221; in the discussions with Chinese officials.
&#8220;We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive,&#8221; Bessent added.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecScottBessent</a> says there has been a &#8220;great deal of productivity&#8221; in trade talks with China: &#8220;We will be giving details tomorrow, but I can tell you that the talks were productive.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/v85uugnMnV">pic.twitter.com/v85uugnMnV</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1921597140784013614?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The delegation from China also indicated the negotiations went well.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said the talks marked &#8220;an important first step&#8221; and promised a joint statement, according to <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-05-11/us-china-made-substantial-progress-in-trade-talks-bessent-says" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg</a>.
As it stands, the United States imposed an overall tariff rate on Chinese goods at 145%. Beijing responded by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/china-strikes-back-with-125percent-tariffs-on-us-goods-starting-april-12.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raising</a> tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.
China&#8217;s delegation <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/china-dispatches-top-security-chief-to-face-trump-team-over-fentanyl-crisis-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly</a> included President Xi Jinping&#8217;s top security official, a sign the discussions broached the fentanyl crisis in addition to trade.
The world&#8217;s two largest economies have been roiled as a result of the trade war, which escalated with Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs last month.
Bessent noted that he and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer spoke to Trump the night before.
&#8220;He is fully informed of what is going on,&#8221; Bessent said of the president.
Trump himself posted about the talks on Truth Social in the evening on Saturday.
&#8220;A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114486066663976973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.
&#8220;We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!&#8221; the president added.
Greer, who was standing beside Bessent, said China&#8217;s officials &#8220;worked very diligently&#8221; and were &#8220;very tough negotiators.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/USTradeRep?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USTradeRep</a> in Geneva: &#8220;The U.S. has a massive $1.2 trillion trade deficit, so the President declared a national emergency &#8230; We&#8217;re confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us work toward resolving that national emergency.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/1kuPhzzGLp">pic.twitter.com/1kuPhzzGLp</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1921597758911267219?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 11, 2025</a></blockquote>
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He echoed what Bessent said, declaring how the past two days were &#8220;very constructive,&#8221; and then made a stark observation about the timeframe.
&#8220;It&#8217;s important to understand how quickly we were able to come to agreement, which reflects that perhaps the differences were not so large as maybe thought,&#8221; Greer said.
&#8220;That being said, there was a lot of groundwork that went into these two days,&#8221; he continued.
Greer also emphasized that it was &#8220;important&#8221; to remember why they were there in the first place.
&#8220;The United States has a massive $1.2 trillion trade deficit, so the president declared a national emergency and imposed tariffs,&#8221; Greer said.
&#8220;We&#8217;re confident that the deal we struck with our Chinese partners will help us work toward resolving that national emergency,&#8221; he added.
Heading into the high-stakes talks, Trump suggested that Bessent had room to offer a lower rate.
“80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114477628854583525" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a Truth Social post on Friday.
Trump officials have been <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sorry-china-bessent-says-deal-with-massive-trade-partner-very-close" target="_blank" rel="noopener">negotiating</a> on trade with a host of nations impacted by the president&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs, which hinge on a national emergency declaration.
Last week, the White House unveiled a trade deal <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-u-s-uk-reach-historic-trade-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">framework</a> with the United Kingdom.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (L) and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer

Trump’s Envoys Tease China Trade Breakthrough, Stress How ‘Quickly’ It Came Together

Communist China

Free Trade

Switzerland

&#8220;Great progress&#8221; was made in trade negotiations with China, President Donald Trump said on Saturday evening, as he touted a &#8220;total reset&#8221; in the making.
Trump made the announcement as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breakthrough-trump-officials-set-date-for-direct-trade-talks-with-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">met</a> with Chinese officials in Switzerland over the weekend.
&#8220;A very good meeting today with China, in Switzerland. Many things discussed, much agreed to. A total reset negotiated in a friendly, but constructive, manner,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114486066663976973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on Truth Social. &#8220;We want to see, for the good of both China and the U.S., an opening up of China to American business. GREAT PROGRESS MADE!!!&#8221;
While many countries received a 90-day reprieve for &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs above the baseline rate of 10% last month, the United States <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-issues-90-day-pause-on-most-tariffs-raises-chinas-to-125" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> the overall penalty on Chinese goods to 145%. Beijing responded by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/china-strikes-back-with-125percent-tariffs-on-us-goods-starting-april-12.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raising</a> tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%. The economies in the United States and China have been roiled as a result of the trade war.
Heading into the high-stakes talks, Trump suggested that Bessent had room to offer a lower rate.
&#8220;80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114477628854583525" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a Truth Social post on Friday.
China’s President Xi Jinping sent a delegation led by Vice Premier He Lifeng.
The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/china-dispatches-top-security-chief-to-face-trump-team-over-fentanyl-crisis-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a> that the group includes Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, who is considered &#8220;the point person in Beijing’s recent discussions with Washington over how to address President Trump’s concerns about China’s role in the fentanyl trade.&#8221;
Trump administration officials have been negotiating on trade with a host of nations over the past several weeks and have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sorry-china-bessent-says-deal-with-massive-trade-partner-very-close" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signaled</a> progress in talks with the likes of India, South Korea, and Japan.
Last week, the White House unveiled a trade deal <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-u-s-uk-reach-historic-trade-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">framework</a> with the United Kingdom that aims to slash tariffs and non-tariff barriers to unlock $5 billion in new export opportunities for U.S. farmers and businesses, while retaining a 10% Liberation Day tariff base rate and imposing &#8220;alternative&#8221; arrangements for British auto and steel imports to &#8220;bolster&#8221; economic and national security.
“Both countries have agreed that economic security is national security and will be working together as allies to ensure that we have a strong industrial base and appropriate export controls and protections for key technologies and industries like steel,” Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/both-countries-will-become-stronger-trumps-trade-deal-will-give-u-s-more-access-to-u-k-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. “Steel was a big factor. Both countries will become stronger with steel.”

Trump Hails ‘Total Reset’ In China Trade Negotiations

World

China’s President Xi Jinping sent his top security official to Switzerland on Friday for critical trade talks with the U.S., underscoring Beijing&#8217;s recognition of the fentanyl crisis as a key issue amid ongoing tariff tensions with the Trump administration.
The Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, includes Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong, who is considered &#8220;the point person in Beijing’s recent discussions with Washington over how to address President Trump’s concerns about China’s role in the fentanyl trade,&#8221; <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-sends-xis-security-czar-to-trade-talks-with-u-s-a763826d?mod=hp_lead_pos1">according</a> to The Wall Street Journal. They will meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Switzerland on Saturday and Sunday.
The meeting will be aimed at addressing China&#8217;s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis and tariff policies, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
Previously, Chinese officials had accused the U.S. of using the fentanyl problem as a pretext to escalate tariffs.
Now, the Chinese government appears to recognize that it must present cooperative gestures in response to significant American concerns about the fentanyl crisis, as shown by Wang Xiaohong&#8217;s anticipated presence.
“Wang’s presence means one thing: Fentanyl is not only on the table, but also a key piece in the U.S.-China trade talks at this stage,” said Yun Sun, China program director at the D.C. Stimson Center, per the WSJ. “How willing China is to cooperate will illustrate how eager they are to make the trade deal.”
Sources close to the discussions told the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese delegation has been given a clear list outlining steps the Trump administration expects Beijing to take on fentanyl.
These recommendations reportedly include stricter law enforcement measures targeting domestic suppliers of fentanyl precursor chemicals and harsher penalties for criminal organizations involved in narcotics trafficking.
President Donald Trump, who imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods in part due to China&#8217;s connection with the fentanyl crisis — which claims tens of thousands of American lives each year — posted Friday on Truth Social that he is open to lowering tariffs to 80%, placing the decision in the hands of Treasury Secretary Bessent.
“CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114477610338144415">posted</a> on Truth Social Friday morning.
READ MORE: <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-calls-for-china-to-open-its-markets-floats-major-tariff-reduction">Trump Calls For China To Open Its Markets, Floats Major Tariff Reduction</a>

CHINA-US-DIPLOMACY

China Dispatches Top Security Chief To Face Trump Team Over Fentanyl Crisis, Tariffs

Fentanyl

Xi Jinping

President Donald Trump, joined by representatives from the United Kingdom in the Oval Office, announced on Thursday that the two countries will cut back on trade barriers in the first major trade deal for the president.
The agreement will allow the United States to gain increased market access in the United Kingdom — the sixth-largest economy in the world — for billions of dollars worth of American exports, according to Trump. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who spoke to the president over the phone, told Trump he is &#8220;really pleased&#8221; with the deal between the two allies. The final details are still being worked out, but Trump will keep some tariffs in place on British imports. The president emphasized that the deal would boost both countries&#8217; industrial bases and help protect steel.
&#8220;Both countries have agreed that economic security is national security and will be working together as allies to ensure that we have a strong industrial base and appropriate export controls and protections for key technologies and industries like steel,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;Steel was a big factor. Both countries will become stronger with steel.&#8221;
Shortly after announcing the deal, President Trump posted a chart on social media, showing that Britain&#8217;s tariffs on U.S. goods will drop to 1.8% while &#8220;reciprocal tariffs&#8221; on the United Kingdom will remain at 10%. Trump said other nations should not view the 10% tariff on Britain as a template for how the administration will negotiate future deals.
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🚨 🚨 🚨 <a href="https://t.co/6wmO4WZi6K">pic.twitter.com/6wmO4WZi6K</a>
&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1920494982282064090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Asked by Daily Wire White House Reporter Mary Margaret Olohan if the trade deal includes any assurances from Britain to protect free speech and freedom of religion, Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the agreement is solely focused on the economy.
Lutnick added that the deal will also allow the United Kingdom to export up to 100,000 vehicles to the United States for a 10% tariff. Lutnick said the agreement will enable the U.K. to maintain access to the U.S. market while also protecting American jobs. The United States will be able to gain more access to U.K. markets to sell agricultural products such as “ethanol, beef, [and] machinery,&#8221; according to Lutnick. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the deal will &#8220;exponentially increase our beef exports&#8221; to the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom will also be allowed to export Rolls-Royce engines and airplane parts to the United States tariff-free, and Britain will purchase $10 billion worth of Boeing airplanes from the United States, Lutnick added.
Starmer praised Trump and his trade team for working out the trade deal.
&#8220;Really important deal,&#8221; Starmer said. &#8220;This is going to boost trade between and across our countries. It&#8217;s not only going to protect jobs, but create jobs, opening market access.&#8221;
The deal is a significant step for the Trump administration as it seeks to negotiate new trade agreements with dozens of countries worldwide following the president&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs rollout last month.

‘Both Countries Will Become Stronger’: Trump’s Trade Deal Will Give U.S. More Access To U.K. Economy

Howard Lutnick

Keir Starmer

U.K.

The European Union is looking to give itself some leverage against the Trump administration, releasing a plan on Thursday to hit the United States with additional tariffs if trade negotiations don&#8217;t come to fruition.
The European Commission unveiled two steps it would take against the United States, including a higher tariff on more than $100 billion worth of U.S. goods and unleashing a trade dispute against the United States with the World Trade Organization, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/eu-retaliatory-tariffs-trump-us.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The European Union announced its retaliation plan as President Donald Trump said he will agree to a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-to-announce-major-trade-deal-with-united-kingdom?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Trump+To+Announce+%E2%80%98Major+Trade+Deal%E2%80%99+With+United+Kingdom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;major deal</a>&#8221; with the United Kingdom on Thursday.
“We believe there are good deals to be made for the benefit of consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “At the same time, we continue preparing for all possibilities, and the consultation launched today will help guide us in this necessary work.”
The European Union says American goods on the <a href="///Users/zachjewell/Downloads/Information%20gathering_list%20of%20products%20for%20consultation_EU%20common%20commercial%20policy%20measures%20on%20imports%20of%20goods%20from%20the%20US.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list</a> that could be hit with an additional tariff include a wide range of products from cars and airplanes to grain and meat. The bloc is also considering a restriction on exports of scrap steel and chemical products. The list is not final, and the European Commission will review feedback on it before providing a final list over the summer, according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/eu-trump-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a>.
Trump slapped a 20% tariff on the European Union in his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariff rollout last month. The bloc <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/10/eu-suspends-retaliatory-tariffs-us-goods-trump-von-der-leyen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retaliated</a>, hitting U.S. goods with a 25% duty, but after Trump announced he would lower tariffs to 10% across the board for most countries, the European Union suspended its retaliatory action for 90 days. Trump&#8217;s 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products and car imports remains in effect.
While Trump did not reveal any details of the upcoming deal with the United Kingdom, he said the agreement &#8220;is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.&#8221; A British official also <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/business/economy/trump-trade-britain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The New York Times that the deal would benefit both countries, but did not offer specifics.
The agreement with the United Kingdom could give the European Union a better hint at how to negotiate with the Trump administration in the coming weeks. Trump said earlier this week that his administration “could sign 25 deals right now,” but added that it’s up to other countries “to sign deals with us.”

E.U. Reveals Plan To Hit U.S. With Additional Tariffs If Trade Talks Stall

President Donald Trump said he will join representatives from the United Kingdom in the Oval Office on Thursday morning to announce a &#8220;major trade deal,&#8221; which he promises will be the &#8220;first of many.&#8221;
Trump posted on Truth Social Wednesday night, hinting at the announcement with a &#8220;highly respected&#8221; country before posting again on Thursday morning and revealing that it will be the United Kingdom. The trade deal is set to be announced in a press conference in the Oval Office at 10:00 a.m. ET, according to Trump.
&#8220;The agreement with the United Kingdom is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come,&#8221; the president <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114471661029075259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;Because of our long time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!&#8221;
A British official <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/business/economy/trump-trade-britain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The New York Times that the deal would benefit both countries, but did not offer specifics.
Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the White House in late February, before Trump rolled out his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs affecting nearly every country in the world. Trump&#8217;s move <a href="https://www.great.gov.uk/markets/united-states/us-trade-tariffs/#:~:text=The%20US%20announced%20updated%20tariffs,not%20available%20in%20the%20US" target="_blank" rel="noopener">imposed</a> a 10% tariff on U.K. imports, which took effect on April 5. The European country is also being hit by Trump&#8217;s 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium and car parts. The United Kingdom threatened a retaliatory tariff on U.S. goods as it prepared for Trump&#8217;s levy to go into effect last month. Even before Trump&#8217;s &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; announcement, the United Kingdom had already imposed a tariff on some U.S. goods, including a 10% duty on car imports.
Whether Trump&#8217;s deal with the United Kingdom will result in the cancellation of the tariff on the country will be a key point of interest in the press conference, as it could signal how the Trump administration is pursuing deals with other nations. The administration says it is close to coming to trade agreements with dozens of countries, and White House officials will finally <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/breakthrough-trump-officials-set-date-for-direct-trade-talks-with-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">begin</a> talks with China on Saturday.
During a cabinet meeting earlier this week, Trump said that the United States &#8220;could sign 25 deals right now,&#8221; but added that it&#8217;s up to other countries &#8220;to sign deals with us.&#8221;
&#8220;They want a piece of our market,&#8221; he added. &#8220;We don&#8217;t want a piece of their market, we don&#8217;t care about their market.&#8221;

Keir Starmer, Donald Trump

Trump To Announce ‘Major Trade Deal’ With United Kingdom

United Kingdom

A breakthrough in the tariff standoff between the United States and China emerged on Tuesday evening.
Treasury Secretary <a href="https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0132" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Scott Bessent</a> and U.S. Trade Representative <a href="https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2025/may/ambassador-jamieson-greer-travel-switzerland" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jamieson Greer</a> are poised to meet with Chinese officials in Switzerland over the weekend to discuss trade and economic matters, according to their respective agencies. China reportedly <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/06/business/economy/us-china-trade-talks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> there will be talks.
&#8220;I was going to be in Switzerland to negotiate with the Swiss. Turns out, the Chinese team is traveling through Europe and they will be in Switzerland also. So, we will meet on Saturday and Sunday,&#8221; Bessent <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1919893288275808625" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> during an interview on Fox News Channel&#8217;s &#8220;The Ingraham Angle.&#8221;
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/SecScottBessent?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SecScottBessent</a>: &#8220;The world has been coming to the U.S. and China has been the missing piece. I was going to be in Switzerland to negotiate with the Swiss. Turns out, the Chinese team is traveling through Europe and they will be in Switzerland also. So, we will meet on Saturday… <a href="https://t.co/QJZHl98bOx">pic.twitter.com/QJZHl98bOx</a>
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://twitter.com/RapidResponse47/status/1919893288275808625?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2025</a></blockquote>
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While many countries received a 90-day reprieve for &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs above the baseline rate of 10% last month, the United States <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-issues-90-day-pause-on-most-tariffs-raises-chinas-to-125" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increased</a> the overall penalty on Chinese goods to 145%. Beijing responded by <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/11/china-strikes-back-with-125percent-tariffs-on-us-goods-starting-april-12.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">raising</a> tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%.
&#8220;The world has been coming to the U.S. and China has been the missing piece,&#8221; Bessent said. He added later that the United States and China have &#8220;shared interests&#8221; and stressed that the current situation &#8220;isn&#8217;t sustainable, as I&#8217;ve said before, especially on the Chinese side.&#8221;
Protests <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trumps-tariff-sparks-protests-in-china-as-factories-shutter-amid-trade-war" target="_blank" rel="noopener">erupted</a> in China last month as factory workers in Suining, Hunan, and Inner Mongolia demanded unpaid wages and benefits after factory closures triggered by Trump&#8217;s steep tariffs. The economy in the United States has also been impacted, with shipments from China <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/shipments-from-china-fall-as-trumps-tariffs-loom-over-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">falling</a> and growing concerns about price increases.
&#8220;We don&#8217;t want to decouple; what we want is fair trade,&#8221; Bessent said.
Bessent and Greer, who are traveling to Switzerland later this week, are also expected to meet with the country&#8217;s president, Karin Keller-Sutter, to discuss trade.
&#8220;At President Trump’s direction, I am negotiating with countries to rebalance our trade relations to achieve reciprocity, open new markets, and protect America’s economic and national security,&#8221; Greer <a href="https://ustr.gov/about/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2025/may/ambassador-jamieson-greer-travel-switzerland">said</a>. “I look forward to having productive meetings with some of my counterparts as well as visiting with my team in Geneva who all work diligently to advance U.S. interests on a range of multilateral issues.&#8221;
Trump administration officials have been negotiating on trade with a host of nations over the past several weeks and have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sorry-china-bessent-says-deal-with-massive-trade-partner-very-close" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signaled</a> progress in talks with the likes of India, South Korea, and Japan.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

BREAKTHROUGH: Trump Officials Set Date For Direct Trade Talks With China

Global Politics

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