Beijing, Apr 24 (EFE).- China said on Thursday that no negotiations or consultations have been initiated with the United States on the tariff conflict between the two countries, refuting claims in recent days by official US media and sources.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference in Beijing that reports of negotiations starting between Washington and Beijing were false.
Guo stressed that this trade war was initiated by the American side and reiterated that Beijing’s position was consistent and clear, and they were ready to fight till the end or sit for talks depending on what the US wanted.
The remarks come after US President Donald Trump expressed optimism Wednesday about the possibility of reaching a deal with China, and even said that tariffs on Chinese imports — currently at 145 percent — would be substantially reduced.
When questioned in this regard, Guo underlined that if Washington wanted to resolve the conflict, it would need to abandon its approach of maximum pressure, stop launching threats and engage in a dialogue with China on an equal footing.
The trade conflict between the two powers, which escalated at the beginning of April, has raised concern among organizations such as the World Trade Organization, which this week warned that the creation of conflicting US-China trade blocs could lead world GDP to fall by up to seven percent. EFE
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