Earlier, US President Donald Trump said that he was in talks with China about the ongoing tariff war. However, he did not specify if he was talking directly to President Xi Jinping, whom he claimed to have a good relationship with.
The Chinese government has broken the silence about the alleged tariffs discussion and said NO TALKS have ever occurred.
In a press conference on April 24 by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, Guo Jiakun, denied Trump’s claims that the US and China are discussing the tariffs “daily”, calling the reports fake news.
“None of that is true. As far as I know, China and the US do not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, let alone reaching an agreement anytime soon.”
Guo, however, said that China remains open to talking about the escalating trade war between the two countries. However, there is a condition.
“We don’t want to fight but we will fight if we must. If ths US wants to talk, we’ll talk but negotiation must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.”
“The US started the tariff war,” Guo said.
The minister also said that the Chinese government’s stand is clear – If the US is keen to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, they should cease to threaten and blackmail.
Trump said tariffs on China are likely to go down, but China wants them cancelled
Trump pointed out on April 22 that he is willing to reach an agreement with China, and the 145% tariff imposed on China will be significantly reduced in the future, as much as 50%. The US President, however, made it clear that the tariffs “won’t be zero.”
He also reiterated that the two sides will reach an agreement, or it will be difficult for China to continue doing business in the United States.
Aside from Guo, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce in China, He Yadong responded to Trump and told the President to cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China.
“Find a way to resolve the differences through discussions. The US must make the first move to de-escalate the situation,” He said.
What do you think of China’s move?
Also read: Donald Trump Declares “Lab Leak” in China as the True Origins of COVID-19 on White House Website
