National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett refuted the idea that President Trump is concerned about grocery stores and bare household shelves amid the ongoing tariff conflict, asserting that the United States is deeply engaged in trade discussions with numerous nations globally.
“No, that’s certainly not the case,” Hassett remarked in an interview on Fox News’ Ingraham Angle Wednesday evening.
“We are currently in talks with nearly every country on the globe,” Hassett conveyed to guest host Brian Kilmeade. “We’re already in consultation with the Chinese. The president has shifted the world in an unprecedented manner, favoring American labor.”
Hassett expressed that he is “quite optimistic” regarding a possible trade agreement with China, one of the US’s largest trading partners, noting that officials from both sides are actively discussing various matters.
“It is evident that the president and our team are receptive to dialogue, showing that the Chinese are willing to engage in discussions,” Hassett mentioned Wednesday. “Moreover, the president indicated that US and Chinese government officials communicate about numerous issues daily.
Trump acknowledged that the additional 125% import duty alongside the existing 20% tariffs placed on Beijing earlier this month was “excessive,” while expressing his belief that he could forge a new trade agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We’re interacting with many nations right now, and we could potentially engage with China, but perhaps we’ll pursue something unique – you understand the situation – and we’ll see how it unfolds.”
China contended on Thursday that it has not been actively negotiating with the US, and a Commerce Department representative stated, “claims of progress in trade talks between China and the US are baseless and virtually unfounded as they try to grasp shadows.”
Following the imposition of significant tariffs on China, Beijing retaliated with its own tariffs on American products. The president paused most of the retaliatory tariffs he implemented on foreign imports for 90 days to allow for negotiation space, though China was not included in the exemption list.
The nation also ceased exports of certain rare earth minerals to the US and filed a Complaint with the World Trade Organization regarding the Trump administration’s trade war.
