US and China trade officials to discuss tariffs

The U.S. trade chief, Jamieson Greer, is set to talk with his Chinese counterpart next week. This meeting comes as tensions rise between the United States and China over tariffs. President Trump announced the talks on Friday. The discussions will take place just before new tariffs are expected to be announced on April 2. These tariffs could target every country that imposes taxes on U.S. imports, possibly including China. Trump did not clarify what he hopes to achieve from the talks, nor did he mention whether any tariffs on Chinese goods might be lifted. Since January, Trump has imposed a 20 percent tariff on all imports from China. He reiterated that one of his main goals is to stop the flow of certain chemicals from China that are related to illegal drugs. Achieving this goal may require more cooperation between the two nations. Trump mentioned that he plans to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping but did not provide a timeline for that meeting. China has not yet responded regarding a potential meeting between the two leaders. In response to Trump's tariffs, Beijing has taken limited action by implementing 10 percent duties on some U.S. products. Greer’s office is also considering new port fees that could cost Chinese ships up to $1.5 million each time they dock in the U.S. This move is part of a broader investigation into China’s influence in global shipping and logistics. The Chinese embassy in Washington and the U.S. Trade Representative's office have not commented on these developments.