Tue Apr 15 22:00:00 UTC 2025: **Trump Administration Says China Must Initiate Trade Deal**
WASHINGTON, April 16, 2025 – The White House has declared that while President Donald Trump remains open to a trade agreement with China, the onus is on Beijing to make the first move. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, citing a direct statement from President Trump, emphasized that the U.S. does not need to negotiate a deal. “The ball is in China’s court,” Leavitt stated during a press briefing.
The statement comes amidst an escalating trade war. China recently raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% in response to Trump’s own tariffs, which effectively reached 145% on Chinese goods. While Trump has previously expressed admiration for Chinese President Xi Jinping, neither leader has shown signs of backing down.
Leavitt highlighted China’s dependence on the American consumer market, asserting that China “needs our money.” Unlike other nations that have sought trade deals with the U.S. in response to Trump’s tariff policies, China has opted to raise its own tariffs instead of engaging in negotiations. Despite the tensions, President Trump reportedly anticipates a positive outcome from the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.
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