Former President Donald Trump confirmed plans to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping while simultaneously warning that current trade dynamics are untenable without dramatic tariff action. He described a 100 percent tariff on Chinese goods as “not sustainable” long term but framed it as a potential negotiating tool to force structural concessions. The comments reflect his campaign’s broader pitch to reassert industrial leverage and reduce dependency on Chinese sourcing, even as global supply chains remain deeply intertwined. Business groups are wary, warning that sharply higher import duties would trigger price shocks for consumers and retaliatory measures on U.S. exports. Trump has previously pushed for reshoring incentives and stricter enforcement of technology protections. The possible meeting with Xi suggests he sees value in face-to-face diplomacy despite aggressive rhetoric. Trade analysts say any tariff move of that magnitude would require careful calibration to avoid inflation spikes or supply disruptions. For now, the comments signal a test balloon rather than a specific policy rollout, but importers and retailers are already considering contingency sourcing models.
Retailers are starting to embrace instant checkout features powered by generative AI as platforms like Etsy and Shopify explore agent-based commerce. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is being positioned as a conversational shopping assistant that can not only recommend items but also execute purchases with minimal friction. The goal is to collapse the path from discovery to transaction into a single interaction, reducing abandoned carts and boosting conversion rates. Retailers see potential in using AI agents to handle inventory queries, customization requests, and payment steps all within chat interfaces. Early pilots suggest customers are receptive when the experience feels natural and secure. However, questions remain about data privacy, payment authorization, and fraud monitoring. For smaller merchants, integrated tools could level the playing field by offering automated service without hiring additional staff. Shopify and Etsy are testing features that let chat agents surface product listings, manage promotions, and auto-populate checkout fields. Success will depend on user trust, clarity around returns, and seamless handoff to humans for edge cases. If adoption grows, AI-driven checkout could become a core expectation across marketplaces within a few holiday cycles.