Trump says he expects to lower fentanyl-related tariffs on China, discuss ‘farmers’ with Xi

Tokyo: U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects to reduce fentanyl-linked tariffs on China ahead of his upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea this week.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Wednesday, Trump said that fentanyl flows into the U.S. and issues related to American farmers would be among the key topics discussed during the bilateral talks scheduled for Thursday.

The meeting will take place on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and will mark the first in-person meeting between Trump and Xi since Trump returned to office in January.

Trump’s comments follow a Wall Street Journal report that the U.S. could cut its 20% fentanyl-related tariffs on Chinese exports by half in exchange for Beijing’s crackdown on precursor chemicals used to produce the drug.

A temporary trade truce between the two nations, covering reciprocal tariff reductions, is set to expire on November 10 unless extended. Trump has also threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese goods starting November 1 if no agreement is reached.

When asked about Taiwan, Trump said, “I don’t know if we’ll even speak about Taiwan. He may want to ask about it. There’s not that much to ask about.”

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have risen in recent weeks, with China tightening rare earth export controls, prompting the U.S. to introduce new port fees on Chinese vessels and consider software export restrictions.

China’s foreign ministry confirmed that Xi will visit South Korea from October 30 to November 1, though it did not mention a formal meeting with Trump.

“We are going to have a great meeting with China’s Xi,” Trump told reporters, describing the current relationship as “very good.”