Trump: Imminent Deal with China and Tariffs Affecting Everyone

In a move reflecting escalating economic tensions among major powers, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States is close to reaching a trade deal with China, while also confirming that his country will impose direct tariffs on most countries worldwide.

Trump's statements came during his participation in an event on artificial intelligence held in the US capital, Washington, where he also indicated that the US is engaged in serious trade talks with the European Union, stating that tariffs on Europe could be reduced if the Union opens its markets to American companies.

In contrast, China earlier yesterday expressed its intention to enhance cooperation with the United States during the upcoming trade negotiations in Stockholm.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang stated that Beijing believes in the importance of resolving economic and trade issues through dialogue on an equal footing, contributing to maintaining a stable international cooperation environment.

China also confirmed that the Chinese Vice Premier will travel to the Swedish capital next week to participate in trade talks with the American side.

This progress follows the announcement by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin that he will meet his Chinese counterpart in Stockholm next Monday and Tuesday as part of a third round of high-level negotiations.

Mnuchin explained in statements to Fox Business that the meeting aims to discuss extending the mid-August deadline, which may see the re-imposition of higher levels of tariffs.

He also mentioned Washington's desire to discuss broader issues, including Chinese purchases of Iranian and Russian oil.

Earlier this year, the United States and China exchanged escalating tariffs on their exports, leading to a freeze in trade between the world's two largest economies. However, meetings between senior officials from both sides in Geneva in May, followed by further meetings in London in June, resulted in a preliminary agreement to reduce tariffs in order to ease tensions.

The upcoming negotiations in Stockholm represent a new attempt by both parties to break the trade deadlock and achieve a breakthrough to end a months-long dispute, amid global anticipation of the results of this round and its impact on the future economic relations between Washington and Beijing.