China is assessing whether to start trade negotiations with the United States following representations from Washington, the Ministry of Commerce said on Friday, signalling a possible easing of the tit-for-tit tariff war between the world’s two largest economies.
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“China has noted the repeated statements from senior US officials expressing a willingness to negotiate with China on tariff issues,” a ministry spokesperson said. “At the same time, the US side has recently taken the initiative to relay messages to China through relevant channels, expressing a desire to engage in talks. China is currently evaluating this matter.”
If the US truly wanted to talk, it must “demonstrate sincerity by addressing its wrong practices” and “take concrete actions”, including removing all the tariffs it imposed on China, the spokesperson said.
“If the US refuses to correct its erroneous unilateral tariff policies, it would only prove its complete lack of sincerity and further undermine mutual trust,” the spokesperson added.
“Saying one thing while doing another, or even using talks as a cover for coercion and extortion – China will not accept this.”
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After rounds of tit-for-tat tariff increases between China and the US since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, most Chinese shipments to the US now face new levies of 145 per cent, while American goods entering China are subject to additional tariffs of 125 per cent.
