US 'actively' reaching out to China for trade talks As the press briefing wraps up, Chinese state media has reported that the US is "actively" reaching out to China through various channels in the hope of starting tariff negotiations. China previously contradicted Donald Trump's claims that talks are already under way, and has said the US must first "completely cancel all unilateral tariff measures" which now total 145%. Our US partner network NBC News reports that China referred to Trump as the "chief ripper-offer" yesterday, and has taken a hard line against US tariffs after responding with its own 125% levy on US imports. Addressing his cabinet yesterday, Trump said China "is doing very poorly right now" adding "I was actually saddened to hear it". Trump claimed factories are closing "all over China because we're not taking their product". Watch: Trump claims 'China is doing very poorly'