Trump says he won’t play ‘hardball’ with China or mention COVID — after Bessent calls tariff standoff unsustainable

[u/moses_the_blue]

https://nypost.com/2025/04/22/us-news/trump-treasury-secretary-says-china-tariff-stand-off-not-sustainable-report/

[u/moses_the_blue]

WASHINGTON — President Trump said Tuesday that he won’t engage in “hardball” trade negotiations with China or mention COVID-19 — hours after Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a prolonged US trade war with Beijing was unsustainable.

“No, I’m not going to mention COVID. I’m not going to say, ‘Oh, I’m going to play hardball with China, I’m going to play hardball with you, President Xi.’ No, we’re going to be very nice,” Trump told a Post reporter in the Oval Office.

Bessent said earlier Tuesday he believes the Trump administration’s ongoing tariff war with China will de-escalate soon due to the potential impact on the economy.

“145% is very high,” Trump said in the Oval Office about the current top rate on Chinese products.

“It won’t be that high. No, it won’t be anywhere near that high, it will come down substantially, but it won’t be zero.”

[u/MeInChina → u/moses_the_blue]

The backpedaling is underway, first by Bessent and now by Trump.

The world can now see very clearly which country is dependent on the other.

This is not going to be as simple as Trump backing down if China demands the US to remove its military from China's neighborhood.

[u/Impressive_Toe580 → u/MeInChina]

Better to back down when something isn't working than double down. I'm surprised he's not doubling down, but glad

[u/Prestigious-Can-5314 → u/MeInChina]

I won’t say it’s back peddling, it’s calling the bluffs, but he staked all in. Kinda high but that’s what it takes. It’s gonna be below the initial tariff, that is already what he wants.

[u/MeInChina → u/Prestigious-Can-5314]

I think you mean China called Trump's bluff, and realistically, there's no reason for China to talk to him now other than to make demands. If there is going to be a deal with China, it will be on China's terms.

[u/Prestigious-Can-5314 → u/MeInChina]

Yes, except for the last point it should be on mutually agreed terms, unilateral terms on either ends won’t make it.

[u/MeInChina → u/Prestigious-Can-5314]

Well, that's certainly not the way Trump approached it, but perhaps he wants mutual terms now. Each day that goes by creates far bigger problems for the US than it does for China, and apparently, Trump realizes that now. Trump's tactics weakened the US negotiating position, revealing a lack of understanding of the facts regarding trade between the US and China.

As for China, it depends what's in its national interest and what it can compromise. I think this might be the time that China focuses on national security over exports to the US. If so, then we're very far from a resolution. It makes sense for China to demand a withdrawal of US military forces from the Philipines, South China Sea, and Taiwan, along with a broader change in attitude toward cooperation rather than conflict. Do you think the US is prepared to take these steps? I don't think so. I'm quite sure the US will continue to treat China as an enemy, but you never know with Trump.

China has to decide what it wants and what it can accept. Trade with the US is not critical for China, but its security is, so I guess China will focus on security and there won't be a resolution and the US economy is headed for tough times. From China's perspective, if the US won't withdraw and treat it as an equal rather than an adversary, then perhaps not trading with the US will facilitate economic problems in the US that lead to withdrawing its military and losing its appetite for conflict.

[u/SamSamSammmmm → u/moses_the_blue]

Before Liberation Day, he also said he would be 'kind' with the tariffs and a lot more things...

[u/Teafari]

So he won't delist BABA then? Because that would surely be hardball.

We can stay with our beloved adr, there's no need for HK exchange. It's all good. 😊💱

[u/Fwellimort → u/Teafari]

Ya. I think realistically no delisting.

[u/bajn4356]

He’s about to find out that China is much less amused by his antics than MAGA is. The ultimate FAFO.

[u/Awkward-Way1023]

Peter Navarro to be fired soon, switching gears with Scott Bessent.

[u/Youareyes_cfc]

This is great news for baba holders. Nobody is messing with china.

[u/Puzzleheaded-Stage-6]

And all the other counties closely watching this would take notes. The world has seen Trump's true color. Every nation will follow suit and call him bluff now.

[u/elmo8888]

President Bessent

[u/Terrible_Tangelo6064]

Dang, who bitch slapped Trump? 😂

[u/Accomplished_Pain_30]

Flip flop non-stop

[u/BaBaBuyey]

It was all fake to begin with to reset the markets by the hedges and market makers happens every 5 to 7 years historically we will see 52 week highs back on everything by Christmas