Trump says he's open to concessions to China to ease trade war
Former President Donald Trump indicated a willingness to negotiate concessions with China in an effort to reduce tensions in the ongoing trade dispute, stating that he hopes Beijing will assist the United States in its broader geopolitical strategy, including the sanctions regime against Russia. Trump made the remarks during an informal interview, emphasizing that while the U.S. has imposed “very big” sanctions on Moscow, he would like to see China play a supportive role.
The comment comes as both Washington and Beijing continue to navigate a complex set of economic measures that have affected global supply chains since the trade conflict escalated in 2018. Analysts note that any shift toward cooperation could involve adjustments to tariff levels, intellectual‑property enforcement, and market‑access provisions that have been points of contention for years. While Trump has not detailed specific policy changes, he suggested that a more collaborative stance could benefit American manufacturers and consumers by lowering import costs and stabilizing markets.
U.S. officials, who declined to comment on the specifics of the former president’s proposal, said that any future negotiations would need to align with broader national security interests, particularly regarding the sanctions on Russia. International trade experts highlighted that China’s response would likely depend on the overall diplomatic climate, including ongoing discussions at multilateral forums and the status of sanctions enforcement. They cautioned that while a de‑escalation could provide short‑term economic relief, long‑term resolution would require addressing underlying issues such as technology transfer, state subsidies, and market access.
In the meantime, policymakers in both countries appear to be monitoring market reactions and the political fallout of the current tariffs. Industry groups have called for clarity, noting that uncertainty continues to weigh on investment decisions. Observers expect that any formal move toward concession will be accompanied by detailed negotiations, possibly involving third‑party mediators, before concrete agreements are announced.
