Audio refutes Trump's claim on China tariff WASHINGTON (AP) — New audio released by The New York Times refutes Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's claim that he never called for a 45 percent tariff on Chinese exports during a recent editorial board meeting with the paper. Trump, during Thursday night's debate, denied having called for the 45 percent tariff if he's elected president. An audio clip from the meeting posted by the paper contradicts the billionaire businessman and GOP candidate. Trump has also called for penalties on companies, such as auto manufacturers, that shift manufacturing overseas.