President Trump said he would consider pushing back a March 2 deadline to reach a trade agreement with China before imposing a slated tariff increase on $200 billion worth of Chinese products, including hardwood floors.
“If we’re close to a deal where we think we can make a real deal, I could see myself letting them slide for a little while,” Trump stated Feb. 12 regarding the trade negotiation deadline.
The looming tariffs would increase the 10 percent tariffs imposed last year to 25 percent, a move that would impact wood flooring companies relying on imported materials from China.
The administration halted the planned 25 percent increase Dec. 1 after a meeting between Trump and President Xi Jinping of China during the G20 summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Things are going well with China,” Trump said Feb. 12. “China wants to make a deal very badly. I want it to be a real deal, not just a deal that … cosmetically looks good for a year.”
“I’m happy either way,” he added, regarding the outcome of the negotiations.
