Trump says open to making concessions to China to calm trade war

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested he could potentially make concessions to China to alleviate trade tensions between the two economic powers.

“Sure they’ll have to make concessions” if China does not want to be hit by extra tariffs on its exports to the U.S., Trump told reporters as he embarked on a tour of Asian countries.

“I guess we will, too,” in order to reach a deal, Trump added.

“We’re at 157 percent tariff for them. I don’t think that’s sustainable for them,” Trump said.

“They want to get that down, and we want certain things from them,” he added.

Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in South Korea next week.

Trump has also threatened to impose an extra 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods from November if China does not roll back its tightened restrictions on its rare earths exports.

Asked what are the odds that he would press ahead with that extra 100 percent tariff, Trump replied: “I don’t know. I have no odds. I don’t think they would want that. It would not be good for them.”

Trump will also address China’s purchases of Russian oil in the context of Moscow’s ongoing illegal war in Ukraine.

“I’d love China to help us out with Russia,” he said. “We put very big sanctions on Russia. I think those sanctions are going to be very biting, very strong; but I’d like to see China help us out.”

Asked about potential moves by Beijing on Taiwan, Trump responded: “It would be very dangerous for them.” 

“I hope they won’t. We’ll have to see,” Trump said. “Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. I hope they won’t.”

Trump also said that he would be open to meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un during his Asia trip. “I’d be open to it, 100 percent,” Trump said. “I got along very well with Kim Jung Un,” he added.

Sophia Cai contributed to this report.