China 'evaluating' US offer to discuss tariffs

China has said that it is considering a US request for tariff talks but that Washington must be "sincere" and prepared to remove the duties that have unsettled international supply chains and markets.

In April, Beijing retaliated with new 125% levies on U.S. imports in response to punishing U.S. tariffs that had increased to 145% on numerous Chinese goods.

US tariffs have temporarily been lifted on high-end tech products like computers, semiconductors, and smartphones.

US President Donald Trump stated this week that he thought there was a "very good chance we're going to make a deal" after claiming on multiple occasions that China has approached him for discussions on the tariffs.

The US reached out, and Beijing's trade ministry acknowledged Friday that it was "currently evaluating" the offer.

Left to right: China's president Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.

However, it stated that any negotiations would first need the US to be sincere.

"The United States should be prepared and demonstrate its sincerity if it wishes to speak."

"In any possible dialogue or talks, if the US side does not correct its wrong unilateral tariff measures, it just means the US side is completely insincere and will further damage the mutual trust between the two sides," it stated.

"Saying one thing and doing another, or even attempting coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks, will not work," the ministry of trade stated.

There is a 90-day window ending in July for dozens of nations to reach a deal with Washington and prevent higher, nation-specific fees.

However, Beijing had promised to "never kneel down!" in a video released on social media this week by its foreign ministry, indicating that it will fight a trade war to the end if necessary.

(Credit: Xinhua, Global Times & AFP)