Donald Trump speaks to media aboard Air Force One

President Donald Trump said on Friday (July 4, 2025) it was good that Hamas said it had responded in “a positive spirit” to a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire proposal.

He told reporters aboard Air Force One there could be a deal on a Gaza ceasefire by next week but that he had not been briefed on the current state of negotiations.

‘Putin understands U.S. sanctions may be coming’

Mr. Trump said that he has discussed sanctions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is worried about them and understands they might be forthcoming.

Mr. Trump, who spoke on Friday (July 4, 2025) with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, also told reporters aboard Air Force One that he had discussed the possibility of sending Patriot air defense missiles to Kyiv.

Trump may visit China or Xi may visit U.S.

Mr. Trump said he may visit President Xi Jinping in China or the Chinese leader may visit the United States.

The two leaders last month invited each other to visit their respective countries.

Tariff letters to 12 countries signed, going out Monday

Mr. Trump on Friday (July 4, 2025) said he had signed letters to 12 countries outlining the various tariff levels they would face on their good imported into the United States.

Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the letters would be sent out on Monday (July 7, 2025).

He declined to say which countries would be in the first batch of letters. Mr. Trump had told reporters earlier on Friday (July 4, 2025) that he expected letters to go to most countries by July 9, when higher “reciprocal” tariffs that he paused for 90 days are due to go into effect.

‘Will start talks with China on TikTok deal this week’

Mr. Trump said he will start talking to China on Monday (July 7, 2025) or Tuesday (July 8, 2025) about a possible TikTok deal.

He said the United States “pretty much” has a deal on the sale of the TikTok short-video app.

“I think we’re gonna start Monday (July 7, 2025) or Tuesday (July 8, 2025), talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives, but we would we pretty much have a deal,” Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One.

Last month, Mr. Trump extended to September 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the U.S. assets of TikTok.

Mr. Trump said the United States will probably have to get a deal approved by China.