Newsweek has contacted the White House and the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment. President Donald Trump raised U.S. tariffs on China to a combined 145 percent, prompting the Chinese to retaliate with a 125 percent levy on American imports.

The US is considering slashing its tariffs on China's goods at trade talks this weekend, after President Trump's promised that the 145% rate was "coming down." On Friday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social: "80% Tariff on China seems right!

Since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed steep tariffs on China last month, Beijing has responded in kind. On state and social media, it posted images of Mao Zedong, lambasted "imperialists," and sent a message: capitulation to bullies is dangerous,