• Trump Floats 80% Tariff on China: President Donald Trump posted on social media that an “80% Tariff on China seems right” ahead of key trade talks set to begin this weekend.

• Hint at De-escalation: Despite previously taking a hardline stance, this post suggests Trump may now be open to lowering tariffs before formal negotiations begin.

• Current Tariff Situation: The US currently applies tariffs on Chinese goods up to 145%, while China retaliates with tariffs up to 125% on American products.

• Trade Talks in Switzerland: The talks will include US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

• Earlier Firm Tone: Earlier this week, Trump claimed the US is “losing nothing” by not trading with China and rejected the idea of reducing tariffs first.

• Tone Shift on Thursday: Trump began to soften his tone by saying, “I think we will have a very good weekend,” and hinted that tariffs might come down if talks go well.

• Market Expectations Rising: Trump’s Friday posts raised hopes that preliminary tariff reductions could be on the table, even if a broader trade agreement is unlikely in the near term.

• Trump’s Message to China: Trump again urged China to open its markets to the US, declaring that “Closed markets don’t work anymore.”

What’s Next? 
 Trump’s abrupt change in rhetoric appears to be a calculated move likely driven by political pressure and economic realities. Soaring tariffs have strained both consumers and producers, and a softening stance could provide relief for financial markets and global supply chains. However, the unpredictability of Trump’s messaging may still limit trust in the negotiation process and the possibility of a stable long-term deal.