President Donald Trump confirmed on Thursday that discussions between the U.S. and China regarding trade are in progress. This contradicts claims from China that no such talks have occurred to alleviate the ongoing trade dispute.
Trump informed reporters of a meeting that took place that morning but did not disclose the participants. Despite China’s denial of engaging in trade negotiations with the U.S., a White House official stated that lower-level face-to-face discussions and a phone call between the two countries’ staff occurred this week.
Yesterday, China stated that it is not currently engaged in tariff discussions with the U.S., despite recent signals from the White House suggesting a possible easing of tensions.
Ministry of Commerce Spokesperson He Yadong stated that there’s absolutely no current dialogue on economic and trade matters between the two nations, dismissing any reports of progress in bilateral talks. He suggested that the U.S. could resolve existing issues by removing its unilateral measures against China.
China’s stance was further reinforced by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who asserted that there are no ongoing negotiations, as reported by state media. Both officials maintained that China is open to talks if the country is treated as an equal.
The conflicting reports from both Washington and Beijing highlight the strained communication and uncertainty surrounding the current trade tensions, contributing to market instability and prolonging economic challenges for both nations.
American businesses are grappling with escalating import expenses, while Chinese exporters are facing reduced demand from the U.S. President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at a potential reduction in tensions with China. Bessent emphasized the necessity of reducing the excessively high tariffs between the two countries before progressing with trade talks, stating that de-escalation is vital for the world’s top economies to readjust their trade dynamics.
Earlier this month, the White House imposed tariffs of 145% on Chinese products, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its duties and impose stricter regulations on exports of crucial minerals to the U.S.
