Former President Donald Trump stated this week that recently imposed tariffs on Chinese exports are justified and may not lead to major price increases for American consumers. In an interview with ABC News, Trump suggested that China may absorb the cost of the tariffs rather than pass them on to U.S. buyers.
“You don’t know whether or not China’s going to eat it. China probably will eat those tariffs,” Trump said, while arguing that the trade imbalance needed to be addressed.
The remarks follow recent indications from the administration that it is open to future trade discussions with Chinese officials. The tariffs, some of which are as high as 145%, have already influenced pricing strategies among Chinese retailers.
For example, Temu, a Chinese retail platform popular for low-cost goods, has begun passing the added costs on to American consumers. Fast-fashion company Shein has also increased prices for some U.S. items in anticipation of additional import levies, with certain health and beauty products rising by more than 50%.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that the U.S. may be open to phasing in lighter tariffs over a five-year period. Trump has stated that he is willing to consider scaling back the tariffs if progress is made in trade talks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent commented earlier that the current tariffs could impact employment in China but did not disclose whether any specific negotiations are currently taking place.
Trump emphasized that his tariff approach is part of a broader strategy to reduce trade deficits and support U.S. manufacturing. “I said all of these things during my campaign,” he noted. “You’re gonna have a transition period.”
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