How Trump managed to get his much-needed China trade victory

CNN - May 12th, 2025
Open on CNN

President Donald Trump's administration made a significant move by de-escalating trade tensions with China, marking a dramatic turn in his tariff strategy. Through intense negotiations in Geneva, both the US and China agreed to drop tariffs by 115 percentage points, easing a trade embargo that had threatened global financial stability and the US economy. This decision resulted in a surge in global markets, reflecting optimism about future trade relations between the two largest economies. The US sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, viewed as serious and levelheaded negotiators, to lead these crucial discussions.

The context of this development lies in Trump's broader tariff strategy, which aims to maintain higher tariffs while encouraging trading partners to negotiate. Despite initial chaos and market panic, the administration's approach seems to be yielding results, with potential bilateral agreements on the horizon. The trade talks with China are considered the most challenging, yet the willingness of other countries to engage in deals with the US, even under a universal 10% tariff rate, highlights the strategic leverage Trump has created. This shift in trade policy underscores the importance of trade in Trump's broader geopolitical strategy, as seen in other diplomatic areas like the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.0
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The news story provides a coherent and timely account of the U.S.-China trade negotiations under President Trump, highlighting strategic successes and economic implications. Its strengths lie in its clarity, timeliness, and relevance to public interest, as it addresses significant global economic issues. However, the story's accuracy and balance could be improved by incorporating a broader range of perspectives and more detailed evidence to support its claims. The lack of transparency and critical analysis limits its potential impact and engagement, as readers seeking a comprehensive understanding may need to consult additional sources. Overall, while the article effectively communicates key developments, it would benefit from greater depth and diversity in its reporting.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The news story provides a clear narrative about the U.S.-China trade negotiations under President Trump, but some claims require further verification. For instance, the story mentions a dramatic de-escalation with China involving a 115 percentage point tariff reduction, which is a significant claim that needs precise data backing. The story also discusses the role of negotiators like Scott Bessent and Jamieson Greer, highlighting their perceived seriousness and capability, which aligns with typical diplomatic roles but lacks specific evidence of their impact on the negotiations. The economic impact, such as markets soaring due to the de-escalation, is plausible but would benefit from specific market data or expert analyses to substantiate these claims. Overall, while the narrative is coherent, the story would benefit from more detailed sourcing and evidence to support its major claims.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents a perspective that is favorable to Trump’s administration, focusing on the strategic successes of the tariff negotiations. It highlights the positive outcomes and strategic maneuvers without delving deeply into potential criticisms or alternative viewpoints, such as the perspectives of economic analysts or opposition political figures. This creates a somewhat imbalanced view that could be perceived as leaning towards a pro-administration stance. The inclusion of quotes from Trump’s advisors and a Republican senator further underscores this bias, while there is little to no representation of dissenting voices or critical analysis from trade experts or economists.

8
Clarity

The article is generally well-written, with a clear narrative structure that guides the reader through the developments in U.S.-China trade negotiations. The language is straightforward, and the story maintains a consistent tone, making it accessible to a broad audience. The use of direct quotes from officials helps to clarify key points, although some complex economic concepts could be further simplified for general comprehension. Overall, the story's clarity is one of its strengths, as it effectively communicates the main events and implications of the trade talks.

5
Source quality

The article cites figures such as National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and unnamed advisors and diplomats, which lends some credibility. However, the lack of direct quotes or detailed attributions from these sources limits the reliability of the information presented. The story would benefit from a broader range of sources, including independent economic analysts or trade experts, to provide a more comprehensive view. The reliance on unnamed sources and the absence of external, non-governmental voices suggest a potential limitation in source variety and authority.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of explaining the basis of its claims and the methodology behind the reported negotiations. There is no clear disclosure of how the information was obtained or the potential biases of the sources. The story mentions internal discussions and strategic decisions but does not provide detailed insights into how these conclusions were reached. This lack of transparency can lead to questions about the impartiality and depth of the reporting, as readers are not given a clear understanding of the underlying processes or potential conflicts of interest.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-china-tariffs-deal-90-days-trump-admin-trade-talks-progress/
  2. https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-secures-a-historic-trade-win-for-the-united-states/
  3. https://news.sky.com/story/trump-tariffs-china-middle-east-ukraine-putin-latest-sky-news-live-13209921
  4. https://www.techdirt.com/2025/05/12/dhs-proudly-declares-it-might-arrest-congressional-reps-for-doing-their-oversight-job-settles-for-arresting-the-local-mayor/
  5. https://www.dailykos.com/blog/main