China considering US proposal for trade discussions, but facing challenges due to tariffs

BEIJING – China’s Commerce Ministry said Friday that Beijing is evaluating multiple approaches by the Trump administration for trade talks.

However, in a ministry statement it said one-sided tariffs of up to 145% remain an obstacle, undermining trust.

The statement reiterated China’s stance that is open to talks, but also that Beijing is determined to fight if it must.

“The tariff and trade wars were unilaterally initiated by the U.S., if the U.S. side wants to talk, it should show its sincerity, and be ready to take action on issues such as correcting wrong practices and canceling the unilateral imposition of tariffs,” conveyed an unnamed ministry spokesperson.

The spokesperson mentioned that Beijing had observed various statements by senior U.S. officials expressing a readiness to engage in discussions regarding tariffs.

Moreover, it was highlighted that the U.S. had taken the step to share information with China through intermediaries on multiple occasions with the hope of initiating dialogue. Consequently, the Chinese side is currently evaluating this development.

But it emphasized that China would regard overtures without a change in President Donald Trump’s sharp tariff hikes as insincere.

“Saying one thing but doing another, or even attempting to engage in coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks, will not work on the Chinese side,” it said.

China is in the midst of a public holiday, with government offices closed.

Beijing has responded to Trump’s tariff hikes by raising its own duties on imports of U.S. products to as high as 125%. It has also tightened restrictions on exports to the U.S. of certain strategically important minerals and stopped importing a wide range of U.S. farm products.