Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated Wednesday that President Donald Trump gave his economic team the go-ahead to soften their previously aggressive approach toward China during trade negotiations, in a move aimed at finalizing a preliminary trade framework between the two countries.
Lutnick, speaking from Washington after returning from London where he spent two days participating in high-level discussions, said the shift in tone was key to reaching common ground. The US delegation’s moderation ultimately helped pave the way for progress in the long-standing and often contentious dialogue aimed at addressing deep trade imbalances and economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
“We needed flexibility to get things done,” Lutnick said. “The President understood that and gave us the green light to approach the talks with a results-oriented mindset rather than sticking to a firmly combative stance.”
While specific details of the agreement were not disclosed, officials familiar with the talks said the outline includes commitments from China to increase imports of certain American goods and to consider adjustments to some market access rules that have long frustrated U.S. firms.
This most recent announcement marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to recalibrate the trade relationship between Washington and Beijing— a relationship that has notably weathered numerous rounds of retaliatory tariffs and mutual distrust in recent years.
In closing, Lutnick emphasized that although the administration dialed back its rhetoric, it remains committed to securing a fair and balanced trade deal in the best interest of American workers and businesses. Negotiators from both countries are expected to meet again in the coming months to finalize the framework and continue resolving remaining points of contention.
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