'We're going to be very nice, tariff won't be as high as 145%': Trump on trade talks with China

US President Donald Trump (Courtesy: Bloomberg)

US President Donald Trump said he will be 'very nice' to China in any trade talks, in the most positive comments yet since the trade war heated up. He also hinted that the tariffs on Chinese imports would be substantially lower and nowhere near 145%.

"We’re going to be very nice and they're going to be very nice, and we'll see what happens," he said on Tuesday in Washington. However, he added that for being able to deal with the United States, China has no other choice. "Ultimately they have to make a deal because otherwise they're not going to be able to deal in the US," Trump said.

The US President added he didn't see the need to say he'd 'play hardball' with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

"I'm gonna play hard ball with you, President Xi. No, no. We're gonna be very nice ... So we want them (China) involved, but they have to and other countries have to make a deal," he said but also warned that "if they don't make a deal, we'll set the deal."

Trump also suggested that the tariffs on Chinese goods won't be as high as 145% which his administration has imposed. "145 percent is very high and it won't be that high, not going to be that high. No, it won' t be anywhere near that high. It'll come down substantially, but it won't be zero. It used to be zero, we were just destroyed," he confirmed.

Speaking about his relationship with Xi, the Republican President said, "My relationship with President Xi is great. It was — it's been great for a long time. We've had a very good relationship, and I think we'll make a deal with China. If we don't make a deal, we'll set it. We'll just set the number and, you know, think they'll want to be a part of the United States".

Trump slapped 10% tariffs on most goods entering the country but delayed the implementation of higher levies, pending negotiations. He, however, hiked rates on Chinese imports - now totaling 145% - after Beijing retaliated with its own counter-measures.

Earlier this month, Beijing indicated that it wants to see a number of steps from the Trump administration before agreeing to any discussions.

-With agency inputs