US President Donald Trump meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the beginning of their bilateral meeting at the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 29, 2019.
Kevin Lemark | Reuters
BEIJING – China stresses its willingness to negotiate with the possibility that increased tariffs on exports to the United States may soon become a reality.
American President Donald Trump He said this week that it is permissible Increase customs duties on Chinese goods by 10% As soon as February 1. As the White House announced on Monday Plan to investigate China regarding actions harmful to US trade.
Ministry spokesman He Yadong said in response on Thursday that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has always maintained contacts with “relevant” US authorities on the economy and trade.
“The Chinese side hopes that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the two sides will strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the stable and healthy development of the China-US economy and trade.” He added during a weekly press conference. That's according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin remarks.
Trump said last week that he spoke with the Chinese president Xi Jinping By phone About TikTok and commerce. The Chinese side's readout did not mention the social media app, but said Xi called for cooperation and described the economic relations between the two countries as mutually beneficial.
“Tariffs are not in the interest of China, the United States or the entire world,” the trade spokesman said.
He added, “China is ready to work with the United States to advance bilateral economic and trade relations in a stable, healthy, and sustainable direction,” noting that this is being done on the basis of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.”
These statements echoed those of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning on Tuesday.
“We are willing to maintain communications with the United States, properly handle differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and seek steady, sound and sustainable development of China-US relations,” Mao said when asked about the tariff negotiations.
She added: “China will vigorously defend its own interests.” This is according to an official English text.
Even if 10% tariffs were imposed on China, this would be far less than the original 60% that Trump proposed during his election campaign.
Trump repeated this hours after his inauguration on Monday Plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and CanadaWithout specifying a number for China. He only said that the increased fees may be used to force Beijing-based ByteDance to sell the social media app TikTok, whose future availability in the United States is now in question.
When asked about TikTok on Thursday, a Chinese trade spokesman said China “hopes the US side will listen more to the voices of companies and the public,” and “do more things that are conducive to China-US economic and trade cooperation.” and the well-being of people.”
