On Thursday, China rejected assertions regarding any ongoing trade discussions with the United States, countering recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump. During a regular press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, ‘To my knowledge, there have been no consultations or negotiations between China and the US concerning tariffs, nor have any agreements been reached.’
Guo’s comments were a direct response to Trump’s claims from the previous day, in which he asserted that the two nations were in direct communication and making progress on a tariff agreement. When questioned by journalists about the status of negotiations, Trump affirmed, ‘Yes, indeed. Every day.’ He also indicated that the US was ‘actively’ engaging with China and implied that tariff rates would ‘significantly decrease’ as part of any forthcoming agreement, although they would not be entirely eliminated. ‘Everything is active. Everyone wants to be involved in what we are doing,’
Trump remarked. Nevertheless, Guo firmly rejected this narrative, reiterating China’s stance: ‘The tariff war was instigated by the US, and China’s position remains consistent and clear: we will respond if necessary. Our doors are open for dialogue if the US is willing to engage. Discussions and negotiations must be equal, respectful, and reciprocal.’ China’s Ministry of Commerce echoed the Foreign Ministry’s statement, affirming that no ongoing dialogue exists.
These conflicting statements underscore the current instability in US-China trade relations, which have intensified sharply since Trump imposed significant ‘reciprocal’ tariffs on April 2. In retaliation, Beijing responded, initiating a cycle of reciprocal tariffs that has escalated to punitive levels, with US tariffs on Chinese imports reaching 145 percent and China’s retaliatory tariffs reaching 125 percent. While the Trump administration has recently moderated its rhetoric, citing economic risks and market volatility, Chinese officials remain resolute that no discussions are taking place behind closed doors.
