In a recent interview, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick shared that the Trump administration is looking to end the ongoing tariff conflict, but believes the trade situation with China needs to be addressed correctly first.
“The president really wants to collaborate with China to find a solution,” he mentioned during a segment on Fox News. “He’s not going to escalate things further, instead we need to get the trade balance with China right and secure deals with other countries. It’s about reducing the trade deficit and boosting GDP.”
Lutnick expressed confidence in the administration’s ability to achieve a 3% growth in GDP, asserting that the president is on the right path.
His comments came ahead of anticipated trade discussions between the US and China in Switzerland, led by Treasury Secretary Scott Bescent, who will meet with China’s deputy prime minister.
This marks the first in-person dialogue since Trump imposed a staggering 125% tariff last month, in addition to an existing 20% on imports from China, prompting Beijing to respond aggressively.
On Friday, Trump hinted at a potential reduction in tariffs, suggesting he might lower some to 80%, though he noted this would depend on Scott B.
Earlier, the president announced a 90-day halt on most tariffs, which began during his “liberation date” declaration, although China was specifically excluded. A 10% baseline tariff remains in effect for nearly all trading partners.
Lutnick indicated that negotiations regarding import taxes would continue even beyond the Swiss meetings. “They’re coming down to a more practical level for business. There are substantial tariffs in place, and the president is committed to maintaining a significant tariff on trade with China,” he told Laura Ingraham. “That’s his expectation, and it should be expected by everyone.”
US trade representative Jamieson Greer will also be engaged in these trade discussions alongside Bescent.
This weekend’s conversations follow the US reaching its first trade agreement earlier this week, where Trump and British Prime Minister Kiel Starmer announced a deal aimed at enhancing market access for US exports, especially in the agricultural sector.
