Karoline Leavitt Addresses Reporters as Trump Floats 80% China Tariff

In a White House press briefing on May 9, 2025, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed President Trump's recent suggestion of reducing tariffs on Chinese imports from 145% to 80%. Leavitt clarified that the 80% figure was a preliminary idea and emphasized that any tariff reductions would require reciprocal concessions from China. The briefing comes ahead of high-level trade talks between U.S. and Chinese officials in Switzerland.
Leavitt also reaffirmed the administration's commitment to maintaining a baseline 10% tariff on most imports, including those from China and the UK.