In a recent interview broadcast on Tuesday (April 29th), US President Trump suggested that China may absorb the recently imposed 145% tariffs by the US. He noted that China has been earning “1 trillion dollars” each year from the US, causing serious harm to American interests, and emphasized that the tariffs are aimed at addressing trade imbalances and revitalizing the country’s manufacturing sector.
During the interview, Trump engaged in a heated exchange with ABC reporter Terry Moran regarding the tariff issue.
When Moran pointed out that tariffs would lead to price increases for electronics, clothing, housing, and other goods, Trump interjected, saying, “How would you know? You don’t even know if China will swallow those tariffs.”
Moran quickly retorted, “This is a math problem.”
Trump responded, “China may swallow those tariffs.”
Trump acknowledged that under a 145% tax rate, China would essentially be unable to do business in the US. However, he emphasized that this is a “transitional period,” with the tariffs aimed at addressing trade imbalances and encouraging the return of manufacturing to the US.
“They (China) have been taking 1 trillion dollars from us every year, the exploitation has never been seen before,” Trump stated.
Although Trump suggested that China might absorb the tariffs on its own, the actual impact of these tariffs has gradually become apparent. Bloomberg reported that Chinese low-cost retail platform Temu has started passing on the tax burden to American users, while its competitor Shein has preemptively raised prices for American goods. The average prices of cosmetics and health products have increased by 51%, with some items doubling in price.
On Tuesday, Trump delivered a speech at Macomb Community College in Michigan on his hundredth day in office. Throughout his speech, he repeatedly mentioned China and trade issues. Trump explicitly stated, “Rather than prioritize China, I prefer to prioritize Michigan, and put America first.”
Describing China as the country that “has historically taken the most jobs from America,” Trump stated that imposing a 145% tariff is to put an end to the largest “job theft” on a global scale.
Despite taking a tough stance, Trump still emphasized the possibility of reaching an agreement with China. He said during the speech, “I think things will turn out well. They want to make a deal. We will make a deal, but it will be a fair deal.”
Trump emphasized that tariffs are a tool to achieve “fair trade” and denied that they were punitive measures, which garnered support from some members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the event. Retired auto worker Brian Pannebecker was even invited to share the stage with Trump. He founded the organization “Auto Workers Supporting Trump,” actively supporting Trump’s trade policies.
Pannebecker expressed on stage, “Whether it’s tariffs or immigration reform, President Trump is doing things that should have been done long ago.”
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on Tuesday that China may lose up to 10 million job opportunities due to the high tariffs imposed by the US, referring to these tariffs as “unsustainable” for China.
However, Bessent did not clarify whether substantive negotiations between the US and China have already begun.
Earlier this month, Trump mentioned in an interview that if China is willing to come to the negotiating table, he would “substantially reduce” the current tariffs, and he believes that China will ultimately be “fine.” Despite the US repeatedly expressing willingness to negotiate, formal trade talks between China and the US have yet to be resumed.