China Softens Tariff Stance as Trump’s Trade Pressure Mounts
As trade tensions between the U.S. and China continue to intensify, Beijing has quietly blinked—granting sweeping exemptions to steep tariffs on American goods. While officials from both countries remain locked in negotiations, China has already waived tariffs on roughly one-quarter of U.S. imports, sparing an estimated $40 billion in American-made products from its previously announced 125% surtax.
The move, seen by some as a strategic pivot and by others as a tacit acknowledgment of U.S. leverage, comes amid growing economic strain in China following President Trump’s aggressive 145% blanket tariff on Chinese exports.
Among the U.S. products granted reprieve: pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals. According to trade analysts cited by Bloomberg, the shift isn’t a show of goodwill but a calculated maneuver by President Xi Jinping to mitigate damage while preserving bargaining power. Whether this measured retreat was prompted by direct pressure from Washington remains unclear.
On Friday, Xi’s spokesperson confirmed that China is now “evaluating” the Trump administration’s latest proposal—an unexpectedly conciliatory tone that could lay the groundwork for prolonged negotiations aimed at rebalancing the massive U.S.-China trade gap. “The U.S. has recently taken the initiative on many occasions to convey information to China,” Reuters reported, suggesting a possible opening for progress.
Still, Beijing is drawing a hard line on concessions. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce warned against coercive diplomacy: “Attempting to use talks as a pretext to engage in coercion and extortion will not succeed.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed optimism during a Fox News interview with Maria Bartiromo on Thursday, stating that he believes China is ready to make a deal following weeks of economic pain. “I’m confident the Chinese want a resolution. This will be a phased process—first de-escalation, then a path toward a broader agreement,” Bessent said. Analysts estimate the tariffs could threaten up to 10 million jobs in China’s economy.
Both sides have made select exemptions. Beijing, for instance, recently carved out ethanol from its tariff list—signaling the critical role of the biofuel in its energy strategy.
President Xi’s current tone marks a dramatic shift from a combative speech delivered just weeks ago by Chinese U.N. Ambassador Fu Cong, who accused the U.S. of weaponizing tariffs to pursue “hegemonic ambitions” and undermining global trade norms. At a U.N. Security Council meeting, Fu denounced Washington’s approach as “a zero-sum game” masquerading as fairness.
The State Department swiftly rebuked Fu’s remarks, calling the forum “a waste of time” and accusing China of using multilateral platforms to advance its own political and economic interests.
Meanwhile, President Trump’s hardline trade strategy appears to be resonating with American voters. A new J.L. Partners/Daily Mail poll shows Trump’s approval rating rising to 53%, up four points from the previous week—even after enacting sweeping tariffs against dozens of countries on April 2.
Despite fierce backlash from Democrats, mainstream media, and even some within his own party, Trump’s bold approach to trade seems to be solidifying support among his base—and beyond.
