LEADERSHIP NEWS reported that China has invited the United States to sit down at the negotiating table and put an end to the mounting trade war between the two largest economies of the world, emphasizing the need for cooperation instead of confrontation. In a weekly news briefing, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yongqian reasserted Beijing’s eagerness to smooth over differences through negotiations.
China has always held the view that the two countries should have a positive and good attitude towards differences and disagreements on economic and trade issues,” He added. But she made it clear that any discussion should be based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit, and that “threats and intimidation can only be counterproductive.”
We hope that the U.S. and China will sit down together to return to the right track of addressing issues via communication and consultation,” she said.
Tit-for-Tat Tariffs Feed Tensions
Just inaugurated President Donald Trump has slapped tariffs on major trading partners China, Canada, and Mexico because they failed to curb the supply of fentanyl and precursor chemicals to the U.S. Trump applied across-the-board tariffs of 10% to 20% on Chinese imports this month, prompting Beijing to retaliate with tariffs of as much as 15% against key U.S. farm exports such as soybeans, pork, and chicken.
The rift deepened on Wednesday when China, the world’s largest steel producer, promised to do everything necessary to protect its interests after slapping new U.S. tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. Even as tensions rise, China is committed to constructive engagement instead of escalating retaliatory moves and is appealing to Washington to return to the negotiating table.
