let's bring in greg sullivan. could this be a step toward more tariffs? greg: a step potentially. we were watching to see if there were signs the two sides might hint of resuming talks after the latest round of tariffs. as we seem today and yesterday, the administration signals they are ready for talks. addressingchin lawmakers on capitol hill, said that u.s. administration was available for talks. that echoes what the white house spokeswoman lindsay walters said. the u.s. was open to sitting down and talking with china. both the white house and steve mnuchin said it depends on china's willingness to address u.s. concerns, mnuchin even saying they had to make structural changes, a steep demand. keep in mind that mnuchin said the trade war was on hold and days later, trump moved forward with initiating the promise of tariffs. hard to know if this is the beginning of a setback or signaling eight -- a disappointing time. ramy: we heard interesting language. take a listen to this. >> that's a gangster's logic and it's the thief crying stopped thief. it's the united states who violated

let us get more from greg sullivan, our bloomberg washington reporter.he white house was quick to issue a statement saying that the president does in fact support the fed's independence. but these comments seem to be trampling over that, don't they? greg: that is correct. they were quick to go into damage control mode, the spokeswoman saying that trump said he was letting them do what they feel is best, even as he was voicing discontent with the rate hikes. the white house spokeswoman also said that president trump's feelings on rates and rate hikes were long-standing and well-known, and would not play into any kind of fed decision. but we know that central bank independence is held up in developed countries as very important. you don't want central bankers getting into the political area. so thi any future action could be criticized after these comments from being trump influenced. they do seem to be in line with his willingness to this regard precedent, and his -- disregard precedent. that is likely to play well with his political base. ramy: speaking

greg sullivan is joining us now, greg. what is happening now?t theare told administration is preparing a list of $200 billion in chinese : we are hearing that the administration is preparing a list of $200 billion in chinese goods. it will be a public comment period and hearings, and this imposition of tariffs will follow last week's imposition of $34 billion in tariffs on chinese goods. china of course, retaliating in kind. the trump administration is also considering tariffs on $16 billion in additional goods from china as well. there were is already a hearing coming on that. so additional terrorists are attention in the works. -- earlier, president trump also suggested that the final total could reach $500 million, so not out of the blue. ramy: greg, markets work breathing a sigh of relief over the past couple of days, but they are clearly getting hit. what is the signal ahead as we move into the trade war? is anclearly, it escalation, but again, not out of the blue. it was suggested by president trump earlier that it could reach $500 billion

joining us is greg sullivan. the white house was clicked -- was quick to issue their statement. me treading on boundaries going on. greg: there certainly is. the white house was quick to try to go into damage control, saying he does respect the fed's independence and that he is letting them do what they feel is best. the white house spokeswoman saying that trumps of views on race and -- rate and rate hikes are known and long-standing. it's hard not to see this as in line with his willingness to break presidents -- break president. he does think that are taboo. still, it is hard -- opens the question of whether future bed action will be questioned for a hint of politicization after the trump comments. pushing boundaries, white house quick on the come back to try to tamp down worries that trump doesn't respect the fed's independence. todi: it will be interesting see if jay powell response. in the vein of the unorthodox approach, the white house has announced he has invited president putin to washington later this year. as the controversy of helsinki continues, to be quite fiery. gr

let's get the latest with greg sullivan. i guess we knew this was possibly going to happen, given the fact that last month we heard from the president telling robert lighthizer to consider this $200 billion of goods. what is the latest and what is next? greg: that's correct. the trump administration just released a list of $200 billion worth of chinese imports they could potentially move forward imposing tariffs on, a tariff of about 10%. i had a chance to glance at the list before coming here. it included things from electric vehicle batteries to air-conditioning machines. it is wide-ranging. --lication of the list official publication will kick off a weeklong process that will include public hearings, public comment periods, and no final decision on whether to move forward with harris will, until -- with tariffs will come until late august. the move comes as the trump administration already initiated tariffs on $40 billion of chinese goods last week, a move that came after trump friend to do so for months -- trump threaten