China and the U.S. Still Not Talking Tariffs: Not Even a 'Negotiation About the Negotiation?'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: MEDIAite

May 5th, 2025, 6:42 pm


CNBC’s Sara Eisen spoke to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday and pressed him on whether or not any progress has been made in negotiations to ease the massive trade tariffs placed by President Donald Trump on China. “But China is key. I know you set it aside. And you’re heavily involved here. You have said they need to de-escalate and start that process for us to get going on trade talks. Have they made any effort at this point?” Eisen asked during the lengthy interview.

“I think that, I think we could see substantial progress in the coming weeks. We will see that, as I think it’s Stein’s Law, that which is not sustainable doesn’t continue. So, 145 percent, 125 percent tariff levels are the equivalent of an embargo,” Bessent noted.

“Yes,” Eisen agreed. “And we’re reading every day what’s happening with factories in China. And from an academic point of view, I can tell you that the history of trade battles, we are the deficit country. The surplus country always has the most to lose,” Bessent added. “Right. So, they need to make more gestures? What is it that you’re looking for? And is that happening? Is there a negotiation about the negotiation?” Eisen prodded.

“Yes, we will see over the coming weeks. And we will see what President Trump wants to accept,” Bessent replied. “Right. I mean, have they offered anything on the fentanyl, for instance, precursor ingredients?” Eisen pressed again, trying to understand if any talks were taking place. “It’s only what they have said publicly.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bessent-indirectly-confirms-on-cnbc-china-and-the-u-s-still-not-talking-tariffs-not-even-a-negotiation-about-the-negotiation/

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Full headline: Bessent Indirectly Confirms to CNBC China and the U.S. Still Not Talking Tariffs: Not Even a ‘Negotiation About the Negotiation?’

[Chipper Chat]

1. Don has a concept of a plan.

[pandr32]

7. He wants a bribe/payoff.

I've read here somewhere that Starlink needs to be accepted, but China won't do that, so perhaps a crypto payoff to Trump's company. He is shaking down our trading partners. Hopefully China tells him to go to back his daddy--Putin, and cry. Having China as a former trade partner is pretty much the same as an enemy.

[IbogaProject]

10. Isn't saving face important to their culture?

I think they can't back down, and while they will hurt some it is mostly offshore firm's subsidiaries and contractors who will suffer.

[pandr32]

13. They are adept at finding a work around.

They have already found alternatives for imports and will likely export items to countries we might buy from. Sometimes a stop along the way can change the country of origin.
Our real problem is we have a "saving face" guy in charge who is not very intelligent. This will cause a bigger rift between China and us than existed before. They are a military power to be wary of. They will not kiss his ass.

[Scrivener7]

2. It's the only path China can take.

Mump should have foreseen that, but of course didn't.

[Ray Bruns]

3. Yea but Trump is close to sealing deals with Wakanda, Gondor, and Freedonia.

Although the hobbits in the shire are still holding out for formal recognition of second breakfast.

[Tarzanrock]

4. I'm pretty certain that the Krasnov-Turd's "trade negotiations" with Russia ...

and Vladimir Putin are ongoing and in full swing. The real question about the "art" of the "Russia deal" is whether or not the U.S. has to give up Alaska in exchange for a Russian Fabergé egg for the Krasnov-Turd. My guess is that Russian Dictator will give the Krasnov-Turd a "fake" Fabergé egg and we lose Alaska.

[usonian]

5. Countries know who they are dealing with.

Phineas T. Bluster, emphasis on the bluster.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

9. I remember Phineas T.!!!

[usonian]

11. Howdy!

Now, where was Putin at that time? A youngster dreaming of a KGB job? Being mean to pets? Pulling strings on marionettes?

[DetlefK]

6. Translation: "We want China to present us with a finalized deal we can claim was our idea.""

The US doesn't even want to negotiate. They want China to do all the work and to come up with a deal the US can then reject or accept.

1. It's a powerplay.
2. They have no idea what to negotiate for because the Trump administration has no defined goal for these trade-deals.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

8. He screwed the pooch big time with China.

They aren't gonna blink, at least it seems that way, and eventually Hair Furor will attempt to reopen dialogue. The dynamic has changed. And I'm kinda wondering why the CEO's etc of the many US multinational corporations, who must surely be affected by all this bullshit tough guy posturing, don't all call on him together and let him know he needs to sit behind his desk and shut up?

[Irish_Dem]

18. The big rich companies most likely have bought exemptions from the tariffs.

They will be fine.

It is the small businesses which will go bankrupt.

[Fil1957]

12. Didn't he say he was going to ease the China tariffs a couple of weeks ago

after meeting with executives from Home Depot, Walmart and Target? And the markets went up in response. However, I haven't heard of any actual change in the tariffs against China. Am I misinformed, or was he just blowing smoke?

[AllaN01Bear]

14. you first ,,,

just like putin, get out crimeia.

[louis-t]

15. "Substantial progress. And they had a very productive meeting."

"And we'll have that health plan to you any minute now."

[LymphocyteLover]

16. This is so bad... we are so fucked

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Well supposedly a meeting has finally been arranged with some Chinese trade reps now

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143454375

[republianmushroom]

19. Negotiate, China doesn't have to

they have the orange mushroom by the short hairs and know it.

[Bluetus]

20. Who is this CNBC nitwit?

asking this ignorant question:

"You have said they need to de-escalate and start that process for us to get going on trade talks. Have they made any effort at this point?"

What universe has she been living in? China doesn't need to de-escalate because they didn't do anything. Trump woke up one morning and decided to announce a completely illegal tariff that was an absurdity on its face. China simply matched that action in proportion and said, basically,

"If you don't want to trade with us, we're OK with that. We have plenty of business with every other country in the world. You are pissing all those other countries off and sending them to us. Thanks for that. You have done more for our economy than we could ever have dreamed. And if you want to talk about resuming more normalized trade, we'll do that, but not until you stop all this foolishness and come to the table as equals."

That's where things stand and have been for 6 weeks. China has stopped shipping goods here, and are happy to wait a couple of months for the US shelves to go bare. They know Trump will have to come, hat in hand. And they know at that point, China will have all the leverage because Americans will be really, really pissed by then.

WTF was this woman even thinking with such an inside-out question?

Art of the deal, my ass. This guy is the worst negotiator ever.

[travelingthrulife]

21. Does Bessent ever speak in complete sentances?

Stupid parrot.