Trump will be incredibly gracious if China reaches out but...: White House on 104% tariff

The White House Tuesday confirmed that President Donald Trump will be incredibly gracious if China reaches out to him over tariffs as he believed that President Xi Jinping wants to make a deal with the US, but he will do what's the best for American interests. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Trump believes China wants to make a deal with the United States, and China has to make a deal. "It was a mistake for China to retaliate. When America is punched, it punches back harder. That's why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight but the president believes Xi and China want to make a deal; they just don't know how to get that started," the spokesperson said.

"And the president wants me to tell all of you that if China reaches out to make a deal, he will be incredibly gracious but he's going to do what's best for the American people," Leavitt said.

China announced a 34 per cent tariff on the US after Trump imposed a 34 per cent reciprocal tariff on China. Trump announced an additional 50 per cent tariff, which takes the total tariff to 104 per cent. China said it will fight to the end. Calling the US a bully, Chinese commerce ministry issued a statement and said Trump's tariuffs were completely groundless. "The US threat to escalate tariffs on China is a mistake on top of a mistake and once again exposes the blackmailing nature of the US. China will never accept this," a spokesperson for the ministry said.

"Tariff wars have no winners, and protectionism has no way out. Chinese people don't make trouble, but are not afraid of it. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China," ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.

Leavitt said nearly 70 countries reached out to the white House looking to begin negotiations and Trump directed his team to work on "tailor-made deals" for each country that reaches out.