BANGKOK – The United States has approached Beijing for talks to defuse an escalating trade war, the Chinese commerce ministry said Friday, in a possible sign of progress toward ending a tit-for-tat tariff battle that threatens global economic growth.
The ministry said China is open to talks, in comments posted on its website, and urged Washington to correct its “erroneous” practices and cancel tariffs.
“We will fight, if fight we must,” a commerce ministry spokesperson said, according to the report. “Our doors are open, if the U.S. wants to talk.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, demanding the country buy more American products. China responded with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods.
Trump said last month that Washington and Beijing were in talks on the tariffs and expressed confidence that the world’s two largest economies would reach a deal over three to four weeks. China’s commerce ministry had only said it was maintaining working-level communication with its U.S. counterparts.
Friday’s announcement from the commerce ministry confirms a report the day before on Chinese social media platform Weibo by Yuyuan Tantian, a social media account linked to state broadcaster CCTV.
It said the U.S. had reached out “through multiple channels” without giving details.
China had no need to engage in talks, the post said. “China needs to observe closely, even force out the U.S.’ true intentions, to maintain the initiative in both negotiation and confrontation,” it said.
Trump said Wednesday there was a “very good chance” of a deal with China. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News that high tariffs on both sides needed to be addressed in order for talks to progress.
“I am confident that the Chinese will want to reach a deal. And as I said, this is going to be a multi-step process,” Bessent said. “First, we need to de-escalate, and then over time, we will start focusing on a larger trade deal.”
Edited by Stephen Wright and Taejun Kang.
