BANGKOK (AP) — In a firm rebuttal, China on Thursday dismissed any allegations of ongoing negotiations with the U.S. regarding tariffs, characterizing claims of progress as unfounded, akin to ‘trying to catch the wind.’
This response from China followed remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump earlier in the week, where he suggested that relations with China were improving and indicated that the final tariff rate on Chinese exports would be significantly lowered from the current 145%.
At a daily press briefing, Guo Jiakun, the spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized that, ‘For all I know, China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal.’
These statements were echoed by He Yadong, a spokesman for the Commerce Ministry, who reiterated that China is open to dialogue but insists that any discussions should be based on mutual respect and equality.
He stated, ‘Any claims about the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations are groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis.’
Trump had indicated that there were active discussions with China, but Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent clarified that no formal negotiations were taking place. When questioned about China’s denial of ongoing talks, Trump asserted that a meeting had occurred that morning, though he made a vague reference to ‘they’ without further elaboration.
As the administration grappled with rising concerns over the economic repercussions of extensive tariffs on Chinese imports, Trump expressed a desire to de-escalate the situation. Businesses and consumers alike worry that these tariffs could elevate inflation rates and steer the economy towards recession.
Throughout Thursday, the Trump administration projected mixed messages.
Bessent reported a ‘very successful bilateral meeting’ with South Korea and suggested that an agreement could be finalized as early as the following week.
Contrastingly, moments later, Trump reverted to his previous stance, claiming it would be ‘physically impossible’ to negotiate with multiple countries simultaneously, hinting at the possibility of setting standardized prices for future deals.
Notably, Trump remarked, ‘Some will be tariffed,’ acknowledging that certain countries have been treated unfairly, which would justify higher tariffs imposed on them.
While the Trump administration has levied hefty tariffs of 145% on imports from China, Beijing retaliated with 125% tariffs on American goods. Despite other nations benefiting from a 90-day reprieve on tariffs while negotiating with the U.S., China has been excluded from this concession. Instead, China responded with its own higher tariffs and implemented additional economic measures while vowing to ‘fight to the end.’
Among these measures was the imposition of restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and numerous cases brought against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization.
China has also maintained that any dialogue should lead to the cancellation of all tariffs it faces.
He, the Commerce Ministry spokesman, articulated, ‘The unilateral tariff increase measures were initiated by the United States. If the United States really wants to solve the problem, it should face up to the rational voices of the international community and all parties at home, completely cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and find ways to resolve differences through equal dialogue.’
In light of these developments, Trump has claimed he intends to be amicable in his dealings with Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating, ‘We’re going to live together very happily and ideally work together.’
As tensions between the two economic giants persist, the path to resolution remains uncertain.
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