‘Attempting to use talks as cover for coercion and blackmail will not work with China,' says Commerce Ministry
Beijing on Friday confirmed that the Trump administration had reached out to China for talks on tariffs, adding that it is “currently assessing the situation.”
The US has “recently reached out through relevant channels multiple times, expressing a desire to engage in talks with China over tariff issues,” the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
China's confirmation comes after it repeatedly denied claims by US President Donald Trump that Washington was in talks with Beijing on tariffs.
Asserting its position that if “forced to fight, China will fight to the end, and for talks, the door is open,” the ministry said any negotiations “must demonstrate sincerity by making preparations and taking concrete actions, such as correcting its erroneous practices and lifting the unilateral tariffs.”
Last month, Trump launched a wide-ranging tariff regime across the world, on allies as well as rivals.
Later, Trump gave a 90-day reprieve to all nations except China, which faces staggering 245% tariffs on exports to the US.
Beijing retaliated with its own 125% tariffs on all US imports.
China has “noticed” the US side constantly talking about adjustments to its tariff measures, the ministry said, adding: "In any potential dialogue or talks, if the United States does not rectify its erroneous unilateral tariff measures, it would demonstrate a complete lack of sincerity and further undermine mutual trust."
“Saying one thing while doing another, or even attempting to use talks as a cover for coercion and blackmail, will not work with China,” it added.
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