President Donald Trump is claiming, in a Time magazine interview out Friday, that he's made "200 deals" so far in tariff talks but wouldn't say why he hadn't announced any.
He also said that he would be "finished" with negations in the next 3-4 weeks.
In a new social media post on Sunday, Trump repeated his claim that tariff revenue could "completely" eliminate income tax. He suggested that the focus will be on people making less than $200,000 a year.
“It will be a BONANZA FOR AMERICA!!! THE EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE IS HAPPENING!!!” Trump wrote.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
During a press gaggle on Air Force One, President Donald Trump was asked what it would take for him to reduce tariffs on China.
"Well, I'm not going to drop 'em unless they give us something that's, you know, substantial. Otherwise, I'm not going to drop 'em. It'll all work out. Those things always work," Trump said.
When asked what he would consider "substantial" to achieve a deal with China, Trump said that he wants to have China more open to U.S. businesses and products.
"Well, free up China, you know, let us go in and work China because, frankly, that's what we want -- we wanted and then we almost got it. And then they backed out of that deal. We had it, to go into China and sell our product, sell our wares. In other words, it's called 'open China.' That would be great. That'd be a big win. But I'm not even sure I'm going to ask for it because they don't want it open," Trump said.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
ABC News Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott asked President Donald Trump as he was departing the White House when he spoke to President Xi Jinping, considering China's repeated denials of his claims talks are underway.
"You said you have spoken to President XI. When did that happen? Because China says it hasn't happened?" Scott asked Trump.
"I’ve spoke to him numerous times," Trump said. "So we're leaving and going to Rome to be attending the funeral of Pope Francis. Some of you are going to go, anybody going? And going to be very interesting. We're going to meet with a lot of the foreign leaders. They want to meet. Trade deals are going very well. I think Russia and Ukraine, I think they're coming along, we hope, very fragile."
The president was then pressed twice more on when he spoke to Xi.
"I'll let you know at the appropriate time. Let's see if we can make a deal," he told one reporter.
Asked by Time magazine about trade adviser Peter Navarro’s prediction of "90 deals in 90 days," President Trump claimed he has already made 200 deals.
Trump: I’ve made 200 deals.
You’ve made 200 deals?
Trump: 100%.
I’m just curious, why don’t you announce these deals that you’ve solidified?
Trump: I would say, over the next three to four weeks, and we're finished, by the way.
You’re finished?
Trump: We’ll be finished.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday alluded to some progress being made in the trade war with China.
"[The president] wanted me to share with all of you that we're doing very well in respect to a potential trade deal with China," she said at her briefing.
"And the president and the administration are setting the stage for a deal with China. So we feel everyone involved wants to see a trade deal happen. And the ball is moving in the right direction," she said.
ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce pressed Leavitt on what that means, but Leavitt refused to say if Trump has talked directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"I don't have anything to read out on a direct talk between the president and President XI, but we will continue to keep you updated," Leavitt responded.
ABC's Bruce asked Leavitt about reports that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told investors he expects the standoff with China to deescalate and what steps the president is considering taking -- but again Leavitt would not elaborate further.
