President Donald Trump initially resisted calls to reduce tariffs on Chinese imports, believing that the U.S. needed to endure short-term economic pain for a significant trade rebalancing. He perceived that China had more to lose in this trade standoff.

An eighty percent "tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B," the president posted, seemingly leaving the decision up to his Treasury secretary.

American and Chinese officials have started talks in Switzerland to de-escalate a trade dispute between the world's two biggest economies that has global implications. There is hope that the countries can scale back the tariffs they have slapped on each other's goods,