4 months ago
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US President Donald Trump has appeared to soften his recent comments on China and the head of the US Federal Reserve after recent clashes as he pursues his economic agenda.
He said he has “no intention of firing” Jerome Powell after repeatedly criticising the head of the central bank.
But he added that he would like Powell to be “a little more active” on cutting interest rates.
Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump also said he was optimistic about improving trade relations with China.
He said the level of tariffs – or import taxes – that he had imposed on Chinese imports would “come down substantially, but it won’t be zero”.
The president says his tariffs are an effort to encourage factories and jobs to return to the US.
It is a pillar of his economic agenda – as is a cut in interest rates – aimed at reducing the cost of borrowing for Americans.
Trump has ratcheted the rate on Chinese goods up to 145 per cent – sparking reciprocal measures from Beijing and warnings from economists about the global impact of a trade war.
In his comments to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said he would be “very nice” in negotiations with Beijing – in the hope of securing a trade deal.
English (US) ·