Amid escalating trade tensions and domestic political turmoil, Kevin Hassett, Director of the US National Economic Council, struck a cautiously optimistic note on Friday about prospects for a breakthrough in US–China trade talks.

Hassett said he remained 'hopeful' that negotiations could defuse mounting tariff threats ahead of a potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next week.

“President Trump and President Xi are great friends,” Hassett told reporters. “And Scott Bessent is really one of the best negotiators there ever was. We’re still hopeful we can get this thing worked out.”

Tariff threats loom large over fragile truce

The optimism came even as the White House confirmed plans to impose 100 percent additional tariffs on Chinese impo

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