• President Trump claims ongoing tariff negotiations with China, asserting President Xi called him.
• China firmly denies any negotiations, stating no consultations are taking place.
• Uncertainty around tariffs is causing anxiety within the global economy.
• China's tariffs now stand at 125%, while US tariffs on Chinese goods reach 145%.
• Public sentiment indicates widespread disapproval of Trump's tariff policies.

US President Donald Trump asserted in a Dawn interview that tariff negotiations were ongoing with China, claiming that Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him. However, Beijing swiftly rebutted these assertions, explicitly stating that "China and the US are NOT having any consultation or negotiation on #tariffs," urging the US to cease creating confusion about the situation.

Trade tensions have escalated dramatically, with Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods now reaching a staggering 145 percent, leading to retaliatory tariffs of 125 percent from China, as noted in reports from Los Angeles Times and Channel News Asia. This tit-for-tat has led many economists to express concern that a full-blown trade war could precipitate a global recession.

Despite Trump's insistence that negotiations are moving forward and his optimism about striking various trade deals, many officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have confirmed that no such talks are genuinely in progress. The Chinese government reiterated this stance, indicating that “there have been no consultations or negotiations between China and the US on tariff issues” according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.

This standoff has fueled confusion in global markets, with significant fluctuations observed recently, as highlighted by ABC News. Many predicted that Trump's tariffs would lead to inevitable increases in inflation and consumer prices, creating further scrutiny of his administration’s economic management.

In a broader context, analysts, such as The Jakarta Post, are concerned that the lack of clear communication from the Trump administration could jeopardize US economic stability, influencing hiring trends and investment decisions across various sectors.