US President Donald Trump has signaled that he may reduce tariffs on Chinese imports.

His proposal came as the rival superpowers prepare for trade talks in Switzerland over the weekend, AFP reported.

"80% tariffs on China seem right," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, which would reduce tariffs from 145%, with cumulative tariffs on some goods reaching a staggering 245%.

He added that "it depends on Scott B.," referring to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva this weekend to try to cool the conflict that has rocked international markets.

US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will also attend the talks in Switzerland.

In his post, the US head of state does not say whether he believes that 80% should be the final level of tariffs on Chinese goods if and when the trade war ends, or whether this should be an interim status.

In response to Washington's high tariffs, China imposed 125% tariffs on US goods.

"I think this is mainly to show that the two sides are talking, and that in itself is very important. Because China is the only country that has imposed retaliatory tariffs against Trump's tariffs," said Xu Bin, professor of economics and finance at the China Europe International Business School.

Beijing insisted that its position that the US must first lift tariffs remains "unchanged" and promised to defend its interests.

Bessent said the meetings in Switzerland would focus on "de-escalation" rather than a "big trade deal."

The director-general of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, welcomed the talks. She called them "a positive and constructive step towards de-escalation."

"Sustained dialogue between the world's two largest economies is crucial to reducing trade tensions, preventing geopolitical fragmentation, and preserving global growth," she said. | BGNES