Donald Trump says the U.S. is in trade talks with China “every day.” But no one in his administration seems to know what he’s talking about—and China flat-out denies it.
“We’ve been meeting with China,” Trump told reporters Thursday in the Oval Office. “They had a meeting this morning. It doesn’t matter who ‘they’ is.”
It kind of does.
Trump’s claim comes as both countries are locked in a punishing trade war. The U.S. has slapped a 145% import tax on Chinese goods, and China hit back with a 125% tariff on American products. Prices are already rising. Shelves could go empty. Big retailers are warning of damage ahead.
But despite Trump’s repeated claims of progress, no formal negotiations appear to be happening.
On Sunday’s political shows, top Trump officials struggled to explain who—if anyone—is actually talking to China.
“President Trump said he’s spoken to President Xi of China, and negotiations are ongoing,” ABC’s Martha Raddatz said to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “But China has firmly denied this… So are negotiations actually happening? Who is talking?”
Bessent didn’t answer directly. “This was IMF, World Bank week, in D.C., as you know,” he said, “and I had interactions with my Chinese counterparts, but it was more on the traditional things like financial stability.”
He added, “I don’t know if President Trump has spoken with President Xi.”
When asked why China would deny the talks, Bessent said, “I think they’re playing to a different audience.”
Pressed again, Bessent repeated: “We have a process in place… I just believe these Chinese tariffs are unsustainable.”
Bessent also sidestepped questions about Trump’s boast that he’s made “200 deals” on tariffs. “I think the president was referring to ‘subdeals,’” he said.
He defended Trump’s erratic approach as “strategic uncertainty.”
“Nobody’s better at creating this leverage than President Trump,” Bessent said.
Over on CNN, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins offered little clarity either.
“You said that there are talks with China every day,” Dana Bash asked. “Who are the talks with and at what level? Because the Chinese are saying that’s not true.”
Rollins replied, “According to our team in Washington, the conversations are ongoing regarding multiples of trade… They need our money. They need our markets.”
She called Trump “the ultimate deal maker.”
Meanwhile, China is calling Trump’s bluff.
“Any claims about the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations are groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis,” said He Yadong, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs echoed the same line: “If you want to fight, we will fight to the end. If you want to talk, the door is open.”
But for now, there’s no sign that door is open. And even Trump’s own team can’t find it.
