US President Donald Trump emphasized that the responsibility for reaching a trade agreement lies with China, not the United States, as tensions between the two largest global economies continue to rise. In a statement read by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday, Trump made it clear that “the ball is in China’s court,” and insisted that China must come forward to negotiate with the US, not the other way around.
Leavitt further added that while Trump is open to a trade deal, China needs to make the first move, leveraging the strength of the US consumer market as a bargaining chip.
Trade relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated since Trump’s inauguration in January. The president initially imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, citing China’s involvement in the fentanyl trade, and has significantly increased tariffs in recent months over what Washington considers unfair trade practices.
This year alone, Trump imposed a sharp 145 percent tariff on various Chinese goods, stacking on top of previous tariffs. This includes a 20 percent tariff on fentanyl and other illegal substances and a 125 percent tariff aimed at counteracting unfair trade practices. However, some tech products, like smartphones and laptops, have been temporarily exempt from these latest tariffs.
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