On Thursday, President Trump told reporters that China has been contacting him “a lot” since he almost raised tariffs on Chinese imports, and he implied to them that a deal may be reached between the two countries in three or four weeks.
Among the many questions posed to President Trump by reporters following his signing of executive orders deregulating the seafood sector was if he had had a chance to discuss the continuing trade war with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his meetings with Chinese officials.
“They have reached out a number of times,” Trump remarked, mentioning high-ranking Chinese officials. In response to a question about the frequency of their communication since last week, when Trump increased the tariffs he imposed on China from 54% to 145%, the president said, “A lot.”
Media outlets have reported that Trump has shown he is hesitant to initiate contact with China in the midst of the continuing trade battle, prompting his remarks. U.S. officials have reportedly been pressuring the Chinese to arrange a meeting between Xi and Trump, but the two leaders have not yet spoken, according to Trump’s inner circle.
In response to a question about whether he had talked with Xi yet, Trump remained mum.
My relationship with President Xi is excellent, and I expect it will remain so; but, I have never confirmed or denied that this has occurred. They have tried to get in touch several times,” Trump informed the press.
Media outlets wasted no time jumping on Trump’s statement, asking the president to clarify if he meant other Chinese officials or Xi when he stated, “They have reached out a number of times.”
I see it as being quite similar,” Trump said in response. It would be high-ranking Chinese officials, and anyone familiar with Xi would know that he was well-informed on the matter. He has excellent control, strength, and intelligence. We are in communication with China, by the way.
Even while some have asked him to move quickly in his discussions with China, the president says he still thinks there is “plenty” of time and is certain a deal will be reached.
“I would imagine that within the next three or four weeks, I would not be surprised if the entire matter were resolved,” Trump said reporters on Thursday.
In the event that an agreement is not possible, the president said, everything will “be fine.”
If we are unable to reach an agreement by a specific date, we will simply establish a restriction. Let’s establish a tariff. ‘Come in and shop,’ Trump remarked after setting certain restrictions. They can always opt out and say things like, ‘Well, we don’t want it, therefore we’re not going to shop there, we’re not going to shop in the store of America.'” The American consumer is something that no one else possesses.