The Trump administration has initiated backchannel efforts to restart tariff negotiations with Beijing, despite no formal talks being confirmed by U.S. trade officials. The development comes as the administration simultaneously pushes to finalize a series of targeted trade deals with other countries in response to mounting economic and political pressure.
Yuyuantantian, a Weibo account tied to China Central Television and often used to communicate Beijing's views, reported that the United States recently reached out to China through "various channels." The report cited unnamed sources and suggested Washington is increasingly eager to reengage on tariffs. From a negotiation standpoint, the U.S. is ”clearly the more anxious party at the moment," the post stated.
President Trump has repeatedly insisted that it is China's responsibility to initiate discussions. "It'll happen," Trump said Wednesday, adding he was "not happy" with the sharp decline in trade between the two nations and hoped China would "do well" while treating the U.S. fairly.
The White House's quiet overture to Beijing came as data showed the U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter for the first time since 2022. A significant surge in pre-tariff imports and cooling consumer spending have begun to reveal the broader economic impact of the Trump administration's aggressive trade strategy, which includes 145% tariffs on a wide array of Chinese goods.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed Wednesday that no formal negotiations with China are underway. Trump administration wants fair trade with China, Greer told Fox News Channel, but added, "instead of having an economy that's financed by the government, we want to make real stuff and sell it."
Greer acknowledged that he had held a call with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng earlier this month when China announced steep reciprocal tariffs. However, he emphasized that his office's priority lies with securing trade deals elsewhere. "I would say that we have deals that are close," he said. "We're talking about a matter of weeks and not months, to have some initial deals announced."
The administration is pursuing negotiations with several countries, including Japan, Guyana, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines. Greer also cited ongoing talks with South Korea, the United Kingdom, and India, though he said an agreement with New Delhi was "not finish-line close."
Trump officials have hinted that one agreement with a key trading partner is pending parliamentary and executive approval overseas. Greer is asking counterparts to lower tariff and non-tariff barriers, particularly those that restrict U.S. industrial and agricultural exports. The administration is also pressing for improvements in digital trade, intellectual property rights, labor, and environmental standards.
While Trump has promoted tariffs as a tool to bring manufacturing back to the U.S., economists warn that the impact is being increasingly passed on to American consumers. Prices of Chinese-made goods have already risen, contradicting the administration's assertion that Beijing would bear the brunt of the tariffs.
The U.S. posted a record $1.2 trillion trade deficit last year. Greer said maintaining elevated tariffs is necessary "until that's resolved."
