US President Donald Trump on Monday suggested that he might reduce tariffs on Chinese goods, but only if Beijing agrees “to do things” for the United States. These concessions include buying more US soybeans, halting restrictions on rare earth minerals, and other security concerns. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “They’re paying us a lot of money, tremendous amount of money in tariffs, and they’d probably like to have it be less. We’ll work on that, but they have to give us some things too.”

These comments come after the US announced an additional 100% tariff on Chinese imports to the country, effective from November 1, in response to China’s restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. This took the overall duty to a staggerring 130%.‘No longer a one-way street’ Referring to the 130% tariffs on Beijing, he said, “Right now, China’s paying a tremendous amount of money in tariffs like they’d never paid before. You know, they paid a lot during my first administration, my first term.”China is paying “an unbelievable amount of money” to the United States, Trump said, adding, “they probably can’t pay that much. And I’m okay with that.” “We can lower that, but they have to do things for us, too. It’s no longer a one-way street.” Responding to where the reduced tariffs might land, he said that it “depends. I mean, we’ll have to see what they want.” “One of the penalties we have, because they’re sending in fence and all we have a 20%, as you know, a 20% tariff on that. But they’d be paying about a 157% tariff, which is, you know, record-sending type tariff.”The US president further added that he wants to help China but expects something in return. “I don’t want them to do that. I want to help China. I’m not looking to hurt China. But they have to give us things, too.”What Trump wants in exchange for lower tariffs? In turn for lower tariffs, Trump expects China to buy America’s soybean and “stop with the fentanyl.” “Very, you know, normal things. I don’t want them to play the rare earth game with us.” He highlighted that American soybean farmers have been boycotted by China and hence a deal would not happen if Beijing fails to meet these demands. “Otherwise I’m not going to make a deal. No, I want them to buy. Our farmers have been boycotted by China as a negotiating point. I don’t want that. Our farmers are great. And in particular our soybean farmers. And I want them to start buying soybeans at least in the amount that they were buying before. And I believe they’ll be able to do that.”Fresh negotiations ahead The comments come as the US and China prepare for a new round of trade negotiations “as soon as possible,” aimed at avoiding further damaging tariffs. The announcement followed a video call between Beijing’s chief negotiator, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. State news agency Xinhua said the talks involved “candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges.” Tensions have risen since Trump announced the additional 100% tariff on Chinese goods. Taking to social media platform Truth Socialm he said, “Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position… the United States of America will impose a Tariff of 100% on China, over and above any Tariff that they are currently paying.” Meanwhile, Beijing also warned of retaliation if the US proceeds. “Wilful threats of high tariffs are not the right way to get along with China,” a commerce ministry spokesperson said, according to Xinhua. Despite earlier remarks that Trump would not meet Xi Jinping at this month’s APEC summit, a meeting between the two leaders still appears possible. Treasury secretary Bessent said, “He will be meeting with Party Chair Xi in Korea – I believe that meeting will still go ahead.”

Gen Z workers are increasingly walking away from banking jobs in pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities or more flexible working, a new survey of senior bosses has found.

Most financial firms are taking action in a bid to hold onto their younger members of staff.

Nearly half of financial services leaders report an increase in Gen Z employees leaving their organisation over the past year, according to polling by KPMG.

This rises to 54% of those within the banking sector who noticed an upsurge.

Gen Z – typically referring to people born between 1997 and 2012 – are often seeking out more entrepreneurial-style work in their decision to leave finance jobs, the survey found.

The biggest reason cited by the finance bosses was a preference for working in start-ups, at 42%.

While 35% said they were leaving because of a desire for self-employment or freelance careers.

Some 34% said Gen Z workers were choosing to leave because they want more flexibility or remote working, while the same proportion cited cost-of-living concerns as the driver.

The poll, which was to around 150 people at director level or above in financial services companies, found that around a quarter of younger employees are estimated to have left finance businesses in the past year.

Almost all of the business leaders surveyed, at 96%, said they were taking active steps to try and improve Gen Z retention at their firm.

More than half said they were working on introducing flexible working policies such as term-time contracts or flexible hours in a bid to appeal to younger workers.

Others said they were revising their office attendance policies as a result.

Karim Haji, global and UK head of financial services at KPMG, said: “Gen Z employees are clearly signalling a desire for more autonomy, variety and entrepreneurial experiences.

“The challenge for financial services firms now is how to create an entrepreneurial experience for a social media generation in a heavily regulated environment.

“Office presenteeism gets a lot of airtime, but the reality is that most financial services firms have made strides in offering flexibility that goes far beyond remote working, whether that’s staggered hours, flexible contracts or better wellbeing support.

“That’s to be applauded, but alongside that, firms must keep pace with the changing values and expectations of young talent.”

Holidays will become more expensive if Rachel Reeves hikes taxes in next month’s Budget, the UK’s two biggest tour operators have said.

Tui’s UK managing director Neil Swanson said holidays will become too costly for some people if the Chancellor does this, while Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy expressed fears about the Budget raising taxes by £50 billion a year and “screwing Middle England”.

Ms Reeves has acknowledged she is looking at potential tax rises and spending cuts in her Budget on November 26 to fill a black hole estimated at around £50 billion by some economists.

She used her first Budget in October last year to announce £40 billion a year in extra taxes.

Mr Swanson warned that travel companies would be forced to raise holiday prices if taxes on businesses were increased further.

He said: “We won’t be able to absorb the extra costs that come along there, and we’ll need to pass some or all of that on, depending on what actually happens.

“That’s going to price some people out of the market.

“You want travel to be for everyone, not for just the people who’ve got the deeper pockets.

“We need the Government to help us drive some of that growth that the economy needs.”

He said: “If you put too much in our way, then that’s going to be really difficult to achieve.”

Mr Heapy said that taxes were “even higher than when the Conservatives were in power”, with his company suffering a £25 million hit from increased employer national insurance contributions and a higher national minimum wage announced at the last Budget.

“The mood music seems to be that tax will go up again,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s sustainable.”

Asked if tax rises would lead to an increase in holiday prices, Mr Heapy replied: “Probably, yes, because if the Budget is perceived as not being great, the (value of the UK’s) currency could reduce, and if the currency reduces, import costs will rise.”

Mr Heapy said his message to Ms Reeves would be “don’t continue to use Middle England as a cash cow” as he did not believe it was possible to “tax your way out of an economically tight spot”.

He added: “They keep talking about a growth agenda. Well, let’s see it.

“I haven’t seen much so far that I think will result in significant growth in the economy, but I remain hopeful.

“I hope the Budget is a true growth agenda Budget.”

The Treasury was approached for a comment.