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.
“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 unilateral 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.”
Dan Wang, China director at the Eurasia Group, a New York-based consultancy, said the Ministry of Commerce’s statement did not signal any shift in China’s political stance.
