BEIJING — On Thursday, Chinese officials clarified that there are currently no discussions regarding tariffs with the United States, contradicting recent statements from the White House suggesting a potential thaw in relations.
He Yadong, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, addressed reporters in Mandarin, stating, “At present there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S.” He urged that any claims of progress in bilateral discussions should be disregarded.
He also asserted, “If the U.S. genuinely seeks to resolve the issue, it must annul all unilateral measures imposed on China.”
This week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at a possible easing of tensions with China. Earlier this month, however, the White House implemented a 145% tariff on certain Chinese imports, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own tariffs and restrictions on crucial mineral exports to the U.S.
He’s remarks were echoed by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who reiterated that there are no ongoing talks between the two nations, as reported by state media.
Both officials maintained that China remains open to dialogue with the U.S., provided it is treated as an equal partner in negotiations.
In the wake of these developments, several Wall Street banks have revised their growth forecasts for China’s GDP, citing the impact of newly imposed tariffs and rising tensions with the U.S.
The Ministry of Commerce also emphasized its commitment to assist companies in exporting goods to the Chinese market, amidst the ongoing trade frictions.
While the U.S. remains China’s largest single-country trading partner, recent trends indicate that Southeast Asia has overtaken the European Union to become China’s leading regional trading partner.
