By Susan Heavey

Trump Discusses Tariff Talks with China

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump this week stated that his administration is in discussions with China regarding a tariff deal. According to Time magazine, Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him, although Beijing has disputed the U.S. characterization of the talks.

In an interview with Time, published on Friday, Trump did not specify when Xi called or the contents of their conversation, adding that he would not be the one to initiate contact. “He’s called. And I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” Trump said.

China’s Foreign Ministry did not respond immediately to Trump’s comments. Before the interview was published, they had urged Washington to refrain from misleading the public about bilateral tariff negotiations, a sentiment reiterated by Beijing’s embassy in Washington.

Trump claimed to have completed 200 tariff deals and anticipated finalizing negotiations within three to four weeks. He likened the United States to a department store where he sets prices without providing specifics on any deals. When asked if he would consider maintaining tariffs at 50% a year from now as a win, Trump responded: “Total victory.”

“We’re meeting with China. We’re doing fine with everybody. But ultimately, I’ve made all the deals,” he added. “The deal is a deal that I choose. View it differently: We are a department store and we set the price. I meet with the companies, and then I set a fair price, what I consider to be a fair price, and they can pay it, or they don’t have to pay it.”

Plans for Global Deals

Trump elaborated on intentions to finalize various deals with world leaders regarding issues from Russia’s war in Ukraine to the conflicts in the Middle East. Having previously vowed to end the Ukrainian war on his first day in office, Trump stated that he thinks a deal is close, though he did not disclose specifics.

His administration’s recent proposal came after U.S. officials met with European and Ukrainian leaders. Special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Friday. Trump asserted that Crimea, seized by Russia in 2014, would remain with Moscow, stating, “Crimea will stay with Russia. And (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time.”

In the Middle East, he expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia would join the Abraham Accords and indicated optimism about a deal with Iran, saying he is open to meeting with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei or President Masoud Pezeshkian. Trump plans to visit Saudi Arabia and the region next month.

Domestic Legal Challenges

Trump, who indicated he would use his presidency for “retribution,” defended his use of presidential power regarding law firms, foreign students, and former officials. “I’ve gotta be doing something right, because I’ve had a lot of law firms give me a lot of money,” he said.

Regarding the revocation of student visas, he claimed, “they can protest, but they can’t destroy the schools like they did with Columbia and others.” In addressing a specific case involving Turkish national Rumeysa Öztürk, who alleged unlawful arrest linked to her pro-Palestinian stance, Trump stated he would look into it.

Trump also defended his decision to fire Christopher Krebs, former head of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, during his first term in office.