Tariff Talks: Who’s Telling the Truth—Trump or China?

 Who could forget when Trump hit China with tariffs like it was the start of a fist fight? China pushed back: So you're not talking to me unless you drop the tariffs. That was it — and for a long time it was. Total freeze.

Then out of nowhere — news breaks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is set to meet with a top Chinese official He Lifeng. In Switzerland. Trump’s team rushed to say: See? China gave in! We’re winning! The tariffs are still there!

But slow down. Look closer. This wasn’t China waving the white flag. They were already going to be in Europe. If you want to talk, come find us, they had said. And guess what? The U.S. made the trip. Doesn’t exactly scream “power move.”

China’s been able to withstand this type of pressure. For the past few years they’ve been forging trade links with other countries. They weren’t scrambling. Playing the long game. Maybe Trump hoped for a big win — this meeting? It’s more pause than progress.

When you hear someone scream, "We totally won!" — question it. Really? Because it doesn't seem like China caved to the pressure. If anything, they still hold the cards.