China denied U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim on Thursday that both sides were involved in active negotiations on tariffs and said the United States should revoke its unilateral tariffs on the country.
Trump said on Tuesday that China’s tariffs on Chinese-made products are driving force, with the highest level of U.S. import tariffs at the highest level as high as 145%. But Beijing said Thursday that any advice on progress on the matter was groundless, like “trying to capture the wind.”
Over the past few weeks, the trade war between China and the United States has escalated, with each country hiking its import tariffs multiple times in a sell case. But Trump’s administration this week offers some signs of interest in trade deals, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Wednesday that the Trump administration has “a big deal opportunity” for trade between the U.S. and China.
Mr. Trump told reporters earlier this week that when asked if he interacted with China, “everything was active,” although Becente said there were no formal negotiations.
“China’s position is consistent and we are willing to accept consultations and dialogue, but any form of consultation and negotiation must be conducted on mutual respect and equality,” said Yadong, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce. “Any claim on the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations is groundless because there is no basis for fact in trying to capture the wind.”
Trump has imposed 145% tariffs from China, while China’s tariff rate on U.S. products is 125%. Despite the 90-day pause in tariffs Trump has given other countries, China remains the exception due to its leaders’ commitment to negotiate with the United States.
Instead, Beijing raised its own tariffs and took other economic measures when it vowed to “final battle.” For example, China has restricted the export of rare earth minerals and has filed several cases against the United States in the World Trade Organization.
China also made it clear that the negotiations should involve the cancellation of all relevant taxes currently facing.
“The U.S. unilateral tariff increase measures were initiated by the U.S.,” he said. “If the U.S. does want to solve the problem, it should face the rational voices of the international community and all parties in its home, completely abolish all unilateral tariff measures and resolve the differences through equal dialogue,” he said, he said.
Despite economic measures against China, Trump said on Tuesday that he would be “very good” rather than playing hard ball with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“We will be very happy and ideally live together,” Trump said.
