Trump: China does not want an increase in tariffs

President Trump on Thursday said that China “does not want an increase in Tariffs” and that trade talks this week “are going well.”

“China’s top trade negotiators are in the U.S. meeting with our representatives. Meetings are going well with good intent and spirit on both sides. China does not want an increase in Tariffs and feels they will do much better if they make a deal. They are correct,” Trump tweeted.

China’s top trade negotiators are in the U.S. meeting with our representatives. Meetings are going well with good intent and spirit on both sides. China does not want an increase in Tariffs and feels they will do much better if they make a deal. They are correct. I will be……

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019

Chinese officials are in Washington, D.C., this week for negotiations with top U.S. officials as the world’s top two economies seek and end their trade dispute. The second of two days of talks are scheduled for Thursday.

{mosads}Trump, in subsequent tweets, said no deal would be reached until he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping and noted that he still plans to increase tariffs on China if no deal is reached by March.

“No final deal will be made until my friend President Xi, and I, meet in the near future to discuss and agree on some of the long standing and more difficult points. Very comprehensive transaction,” he wrote.

“China’s representatives and I are trying to do a complete deal, leaving NOTHING unresolved on the table. All of the many problems are being discussed and will be hopefully resolved. Tariffs on China increase to 25% on March 1st, so all working hard to complete by that date!” he added.

….meeting with their top leaders and representatives today in the Oval Office. No final deal will be made until my friend President Xi, and I, meet in the near future to discuss and agree on some of the long standing and more difficult points. Very comprehensive transaction….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019

….China’s representatives and I are trying to do a complete deal, leaving NOTHING unresolved on the table. All of the many problems are being discussed and will be hopefully resolved. Tariffs on China increase to 25% on March 1st, so all working hard to complete by that date!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019