China denied it has made any overtures to the United States on trade negotiations, dismissing claims of progress on bilateral talks as “fake news” despite an apparent softening by US President Donald Trump on the hefty tariffs he has imposed since returning to office in January.
When asked if the US and China have started trade negotiations – a question prompted by assertions from Trump that Washington has been in contact with officials from Beijing – Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun said “all of this is fake news” in a press conference on Thursday.
The Ministry of Commerce echoed the sentiment in a conference held the same day.
“If the US truly wants to resolve the issue, it should heed rational voices from the international community and domestic stakeholders, completely abolish all unilateral tariffs on China, and find a solution through equal dialogue,” said ministry spokesman He Yadong.
Analysts said the ministries’ statements serve to reaffirm China’s stance: that the US bears sole responsibility for toning down the conflict.
“Today’s news confirms that China has no intention to reach out first with a proposal of its own,” said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, senior adviser at The Conference Board’s China Centre.
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