'Trump's the only one who's blinked': Reporter gives blunt takedown of president's remarks
A CNN reporter delivered a blunt assessment as he pushed back on President Donald Trump's claim his administration has been in active negotiations with China to strike a deal amid a trade war that sent tariffs to 145%.
A reporter asked Trump on Thursday, "They've reached out since the 145% tariffs?"
"Oh yeah, sure," Trump replied. "A lot. All the time. We're talking."
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Trump said he expects the U.S. will strike a deal with China in the next three to four weeks and that they've had some "very good talks."
The White House has framed the tariffs as necessary to protect U.S. national security and reduce dependence on China for critical minerals and manufacturing components.
CNN's Jeff Zeleny poured cold water on the president's assertion, telling anchor Kate Bolduan, "there's been zero evidence there have actually been talks underway."
"Certainly at any high level," he said.
CNN asked officials what evidence they have that talks are underway.
"We have not seen any evidence of that," said Zeleny. "Kate, the reality here is this underscores the reality of what the president has been trying to do. Trying to put pressure on Beijing, put pressure on President Xi Jinping to come to the negotiating table."
So far, he added, "the U.S. president is the only one of these two superpowers to blink and offer exemptions and exceptions. This is clearly part of a negotiating strategy, but it's unclear it's working at all."