Beijing hopes for US efforts to de-escalate the trade war between the world's two largest economies after President Donald Trump announced the suspension of higher tariffs for most countries. This is reported by CBSNews, writes UNN.
China's position is clear and consistent: the door for negotiations is open, but dialogue must be conducted on an equal footing with mutual respect. China will defend its position to the end. Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right ways to interact with China. We hope that the United States will work with China. Based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation, we will properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultations.
Trump announced the suspension of planned higher tariffs for almost all countries on Wednesday evening, leaving in place a universal tariff of 10%, but said he was raising tariffs for China from 104% to 125%. The increased duties took effect on Thursday, at the same time as Beijing's corresponding duties of 84% took effect on US imports into China.
I have repeatedly stated China's position, and it is crystal clear. We do not provoke unrest and are not afraid of unrest. The legitimate rights to development of the Chinese people and the peoples of the world cannot be taken away. The sovereignty, security and development interests of China and all other countries must not be infringed.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has taken a tougher stance and vowed to continue the fight.
"The reckless and unjust actions of the United States go against the will of the people and are ultimately doomed to failure," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian. "I want to reiterate that there are no winners in a tariff or trade war. China does not want a trade war, but we are not afraid of it. We will never stand idly by and watch the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be undermined, and we will not allow the rules of international trade and the multilateral trading system to be disregarded. If the United States insists on waging a tariff or trade war, China will fight to the end," he added.
Let us remind
On April 9, Donald Trump announced an increase in tariffs on goods from China to 125% due to "lack of respect" from the PRC.