President Donald Trump has signaled a willingness to soften his position on China by suggesting the United States might reduce its steep tariffs on Chinese imports. On Tuesday, he told reporters in the Oval Office that the tariffs would “come down substantially.” Trump added that he planned to take a more diplomatic tone at the negotiating table, saying he would be “very nice” during future discussions and would avoid bringing up the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic—an issue that has previously fueled tensions.

The move appeared to be a dramatic reversal from Trump’s hardline trade stance and seemed designed to reassure markets and major American businesses. His comments followed a private meeting with CEOs from some of the country’s largest retailers, including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Lowe’s. These executives reportedly expressed concern about rising costs and uncertainty created by the ongoing trade war.

Despite the softer tone, Trump insisted that China was engaging with the United States. “We are talking to them every day,” he said, referring to the Chinese government. However, these claims were quickly disputed by officials in Beijing.

Beijing’s Cold Shoulder

Chinese officials were blunt in their response to Trump’s remarks. They dismissed the idea that meaningful trade talks were happening and insisted that any real negotiation must begin with a full removal of the tariffs.

Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, stated, “To my knowledge, China and the United States have not engaged in any consultations or negotiations on the tariff issue, let alone reached any agreement.” He also called U.S. claims about ongoing discussions “fake news.”

China’s Commerce Ministry echoed this view. Spokesperson He Yadong told reporters, “The unilateral tariff hikes were initiated by the US. If the US truly wants to resolve the issue, it should heed the rational voices of the international community and its own domestic stakeholders, fully remove all unilateral tariff measures against China, and find a way to resolve differences through equal dialogue.” He added a pointed Chinese saying: “He who tied the bell must untie it,” implying that it is America’s responsibility to fix the problem it created.

Public Reaction in China: Mockery and Pride

Trump’s olive branch did not only face official rejection—it also became the subject of public ridicule across Chinese social media. On the popular platform Weibo, the hashtag “Trump chickened out” trended with over 150 million views. Many users mocked the U.S. president and dismissed the idea of negotiations without complete tariff removal. One user wrote, “Our side says we don’t care about that!” while another commented, “If the so-called reciprocal tariffs aren’t even canceled—don’t bother negotiating with them!”

These reactions reflect a deep mistrust among the Chinese public, likely influenced by Trump’s shifting tone and mixed messages during the trade dispute. “He says one thing today and another tomorrow, maybe increasing them again the next day. He’s not trustworthy,” said Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Renmin University in Beijing.

Wang, who was in Washington meeting with American analysts, added, “If you really want to negotiate seriously with China, then you should cancel all those baseless tariffs first, and then come back to the table.”

Strategic Patience from Beijing

Chinese government advisers are encouraging a wait-and-see approach rather than rushing into talks. Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said China is “in no rush” to negotiate. “Instead of accepting offers to talk too soon, it might be more beneficial to endure a bit of conflict first,” Wu explained. “Doing so could make negotiations smoother and lead to more favorable outcomes for China.”

From China’s perspective, it was the United States that launched the trade war, and it will be China that decides if and when to talk. Wu stated, “The trade war was initiated by the US, but whether to negotiate is up to China—when to talk and what to talk about will be decided by China.”

Trump’s hints at reducing tariffs came just one day after his administration faced mounting pressure from business leaders and financial markets. The administration’s mixed signals did not help. While Trump spoke confidently about daily contacts with Beijing, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said both sides were “waiting to speak to the other,” without offering details. He added that the current situation is “not a joke” and suggested a de-escalation was likely.

Economic Toll and Political Risks

The tariff standoff is already creating economic instability. The International Monetary Fund recently cut growth forecasts for the United States, China, and other economies, pointing to the damaging effects of the U.S.-China trade war. Goldman Sachs warned that the ongoing tariffs would “significantly weigh” on China’s economic outlook.

American retailers fear major supply shortages as they begin to place orders for the holiday season. In China, shipping companies like Hapag-Lloyd reported that 30 percent of their exports to the United States have been canceled due to tariff concerns.

Inside China, not all voices agree with the government’s hardline approach. A foreign policy expert who spoke anonymously told CNN, “Chinese authorities are not telling the truth. We’re being tortured by the grim economic decline.” He warned that keeping tariffs in place could “result in massive job losses. Social unrest could increase, and the legitimacy of the government could be jeopardized.”

A researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences echoed these concerns, posting on social media that China’s countermeasures were “completely wrong.” The post was quickly deleted by government censors. “The US raising tariffs is like lifting a rock only to drop it on its own foot—we shouldn’t do the same and hurt ourselves,” the researcher wrote.

While President Trump tries to present himself as a dealmaker, his attempt to ease tensions with China has so far backfired. China is signaling that it sees no reason to negotiate until all U.S. tariffs are lifted. Meanwhile, Chinese officials continue to project confidence, with President Xi Jinping touring Southeast Asia to strengthen ties and present China as a stable global partner.

Yet beneath that confidence lies economic pressure. China has set a goal of 5 percent growth for 2025, but many experts believe that may be difficult to achieve. Gary Ng, a senior economist at Natixis in Hong Kong, said it is “quite hard” to convince China’s growing middle class to accept a decline in living standards caused by tariffs.

Lee Branstetter, a professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, believes Trump’s retreat reflects the cost of the tariff strategy. “Talking about tariff reductions before winning any concessions from China or even starting serious talks looks like a climbdown,” he said. “That, to me, is consistent with the view that the president did not really think through the consequences of his tariff decisions. They have now become much more evident to him.”

ACZ Editor: Trump can say what he wants and can maintain the tariffs as long as he wants. He would like a quick victory, and China’s snub is designed to embarrass Trump and establish a posture in negotiations. But in the long run Trump has the advantage, and despite his signals that have been interpreted as retreat, he can hold out as long as he likes, scoring victory after victory with other countries.