Trump Tries to Pass the Buck on China Tariffs: ‘Up to Scott B.’

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

President Donald Trump threw out an 80% tariff on China on Friday morning just ahead of high-level trade talks with the country set to begin this weekend, putting a very public demand on what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent should aim to deliver.

“80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” Trump posted to Truth Social.

Bessent is slated to meet with Chinese officials in Switzerland.

While the proposed 80% figure would mark a significant drop from the eye-watering 145% tariff currently levied on many Chinese goods, it’s still far above the norm and miles from the 10% baseline in the new U.S.-U.K. trade pact inked Thursday. Whether this number is a negotiating bluff or an actual policy target remains unclear.

China has been the primary holdout in the global tariff reshuffle Trump triggered last month. After the U.S. announced new levies on April 9, a tit-for-tat exchange quickly escalated, with both sides imposing tariffs north of 100%.

While the Switzerland meeting isn’t expected to produce a sweeping trade deal, the shout-out from Bessent’s boss puts any failure squarely on his shoulders.