President Donald Trump declares that the United States is actively engaging in trade discussions with China, pushing back on reports suggesting that Beijing has dismissed ongoing tariff negotiations as “fake news.” Speaking from the White House, Trump reaffirms his commitment to resolving tensions over trade policy and insists that the U.S.-China relationship remains strong, despite years of economic friction.
Trump addresses the controversy following reports from Chinese state-affiliated outlets claiming that no formal talks are currently underway. In response, Trump characterizes those reports as misinformation and asserts that American and Chinese officials are indeed in contact. “We are talking with China,” Trump says. “There’s a lot of noise out there, but don’t believe the hype — these talks are real.”
The President emphasizes his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping, describing their relationship as “great” and “productive,” even amid the backdrop of long-standing disputes. “We’ve had tough talks before, and we’ll work it out again,” Trump says.
This latest exchange comes as the U.S. economy continues to feel the effects of previous rounds of tariffs introduced during Trump’s first term. Those tariffs, initially framed as leverage to curb China’s trade practices and intellectual property policies, have drawn widespread criticism from U.S. industries, farmers, and consumers due to rising costs on imported goods and retaliatory measures from Beijing.
Despite past volatility in trade relations, Trump insists that new conversations are underway and progress is being made behind the scenes. He does not disclose details of the talks but indicates that his administration remains open to negotiating reductions in tariffs if China reciprocates with what he calls “fair trade actions.”
Back in China, foreign ministry officials remain vague on the status of talks, neither confirming nor directly denying the existence of backchannel communications. This ambiguity has led analysts to speculate that informal or indirect discussions may be taking place outside official diplomatic channels — a strategy often employed during times of heightened geopolitical tension.
Trump’s comments come amid broader efforts to recalibrate U.S. trade alliances and economic influence in the Indo-Pacific region. His administration has recently expanded outreach to other key partners, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains and assert U.S. economic leadership.
Economists warn that continued uncertainty over U.S.-China trade relations could undermine global markets. Some business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, are urging both governments to clarify the status of negotiations and pursue a clear, enforceable trade agreement.
As the 2026 election season heats up, Trump’s handling of China could become a central issue, with voters weighing the economic consequences of the trade war against promises of American manufacturing revival. Trump maintains that his hardline stance has brought China to the negotiating table before and will do so again.
For now, both nations appear to be locked in a delicate diplomatic dance — one in which trust is limited, but mutual interest in avoiding further economic disruption keeps lines of communication open.
