In a firm statement on Thursday, the Chinese government declared that there are no ongoing economic or trade negotiations between China and the United States, directly contradicting recent suggestions from Washington about possible progress in de-escalating trade tensions.
Speaking at a press conference, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong made it clear that any talk of trade negotiations is baseless at this stage. “At present, there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S.,” He said in Mandarin, according to a CNBC translation. He further urged the public and media to disregard any statements or reports implying that trade discussions are underway, calling them inaccurate and misleading.
China Reiterates Stance: Remove Unilateral Tariffs
He Yadong also emphasized that if the United States is genuinely interested in improving bilateral trade relations, it should start by eliminating the punitive tariffs imposed on Chinese goods. “If the U.S. really wants to resolve the problem, it should cancel all the unilateral measures on China,” He asserted.
This statement aligns with China’s long-standing position that it views the tariffs imposed by the U.S. as unfair and harmful to global trade. Chinese officials have consistently insisted that any meaningful dialogue can only begin once the U.S. stops treating China in a discriminatory manner and lifts all unilateral trade restrictions.
White House Signals Possible De-escalation
Earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump, along with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, hinted at a potential thaw in the strained economic relations between the two global powers. Speaking at separate public events, both Trump and Bessent suggested that Washington might be considering a new round of trade discussions, which could include easing some of the aggressive tariffs that have defined the current trade environment.
The White House also claimed that it was open to stabilizing relations with Beijing, which were further strained earlier this month after the Biden administration imposed a sweeping 145% tariff increase on a wide range of Chinese imports, including electric vehicles, batteries, solar cells, and critical raw materials. In response, China quickly retaliated with its own set of duties and enhanced restrictions on the export of crucial minerals to the U.S.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Echoes Commerce Ministry’s Statement
Echoing the remarks made by the Commerce Ministry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun also confirmed on Thursday that there are no current talks happening with the United States regarding trade or economic matters. State-run media reported Guo’s comments, which further reinforce the official position of Beijing that dialogue remains frozen unless specific preconditions are met.
Both spokespeople emphasized that China is not opposed to engaging in dialogue but stressed that any such discussions must be conducted on an equal footing. “China has always been open to resolving differences through dialogue,” Guo said. “However, we demand that the U.S. respect China’s core interests and treat us as equals in any negotiations.”
Increasing Friction Over Trade Policies
The escalating trade war between China and the United States, which has spanned multiple administrations, shows no signs of slowing down. The most recent round of tariff increases has reignited fears of a deeper economic decoupling between the world’s two largest economies.
The Biden administration’s decision to impose new tariffs was reportedly aimed at protecting key American industries from what it described as “unfair Chinese trade practices” and subsidized overproduction. However, critics argue that these measures may backfire by inviting further retaliation from Beijing and disrupting global supply chains, particularly in the tech and manufacturing sectors.
Industry Reactions and Global Impact
The ongoing dispute has drawn significant attention from industry leaders and global markets. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty and retaliatory measures could lead to increased costs for businesses and consumers alike, while also complicating efforts to stabilize the global economy post-COVID.
Multinational companies with operations in both countries are closely monitoring the developments. Many are already exploring alternative supply chains to mitigate potential disruptions. Meanwhile, investors are bracing for volatility, especially in sectors directly impacted by the tariffs, such as electronics, automotive, and green energy.