Treasury Secretary Confirms Talks With China As Trump Holds Strong In Trade War

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed on Sunday that he engaged with his Chinese counterpart last week amid ongoing U.S.-China trade tensions, despite Beijing’s denials. The announcement comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to hold a firm line in the battle against China's unfair trade practices.

Appearing on ABC’s "This Week," Bessent explained that during IMF World Bank meetings in Washington, D.C., he had "interaction" with Chinese officials, focusing mainly on financial stability and global economic issues. However, the bigger story is clear Trump’s tough tariffs are bringing China to the table, whether Beijing admits it or not.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The Trump administration has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, a bold move that has already started squeezing China’s heavily subsidized economy.

• China retaliated with 125% tariffs on American products, but Beijing's businesses are beginning to feel the deep pain of losing access to U.S. consumers.

• Treasury officials are signaling that China understands this high-tariff environment is unsustainable, creating real leverage for Trump’s negotiation strategy.

While mainstream media and liberal pundits wring their hands about a so-called "trade war," the facts show that Trump's approach is working. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. trade deficit with China has shrunk by over 20% compared to last year, a direct result of the tariffs and tough negotiation tactics that the Biden-Obama team never had the courage to employ.

President Trump indicated last week that the tariffs could eventually come down, but "not to zero," ensuring that America maintains a strong bargaining position. Bessent echoed this sentiment, suggesting a "de-escalation" phase could soon be followed by an “agreement in principle,” stabilizing tariffs at a manageable 10% base rate during a 90-day pause.

Bessent wisely emphasized that a full trade deal could still take months. But importantly, good behavior by China would prevent tariffs from ratcheting back up. In contrast to the chaotic and directionless approach taken by the Biden administration during his first term, Trump’s economic team is showing the world that results require strength, patience, and resolve.

At a time when Biden’s weak leadership continues to embolden America's adversaries, Trump's steadfast America-first policies are finally forcing China to play fair or face the consequences.

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