US Has Not Agreed to Lift China Tariffs, Trump Says

President Donald Trump said the U.S. did not agree to lift tariffs on China as part of the first phase of the trade deal, contradicting comments from China’s commerce ministry. “They'd like to have a rollback,” Trump told reporters Nov. 8. “I haven't agreed to anything,”

China said Nov. 7 that the two sides had agreed to lift tariffs in stages as they progressed in trade talks (see 1911070032). But Trump said he has made no guarantees. “China would like to get somewhat of a rollback, not a complete rollback, because they know I won't do it,” Trump said. He also said the two sides are “getting along very well,” adding that China wants “to make a deal. Frankly, they want to make a deal a lot more than I do. I'm very happy right now.”

Trump adviser Peter Navarro made similar comments, saying the U.S. has not promised China that it will reduce any tariffs. “There is no agreement at this time to remove any of the existing tariffs as a condition of the phase one deal,” Navarro told Fox Business Nov. 7.