President Donald Trump is trying to “inject a note of optimism” into trade talks with China ahead of a planned meeting between leaders of the two nations in Argentina later this month, top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said.
“He believes that China would like to have a deal," Kudlow said in an interview with Fox Business Network Tuesday, adding that “very detailed communications” are taking place at all levels of government.
Trump told reporters last week that the Chinese response to his list of demands was largely complete but was missing four or five big issues, signaling that tough discussions still need to take place between the two sides as they head into the Nov. 30-Dec. 1 meetings at the Group of 20 summit in Buenos Aires. Trump is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping there.
Trump said the U.S. would proceed with a threat to impose additional tariffs on $267 billion worth of Chinese products if the two countries don’t reach a deal.
“You are not going to get a deal unless it suits American interests,” Kudlow said.