Beijing has welcomed signs the U.S. is second-guessing its aggressive approach to China, following weeks of escalating reciprocal tariffs and bilateral tensions.
Asked about Mr. Bessent’s comments later in the day, President
Donald Trump said the current 145 per cent tariff on all Chinese goods will “come down substantially,” the latest dramatic U-turn in his global trade war.
At a regular news conference Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing’s long-standing point that “there are no winners in a tariff war or a trade war.”
“China’s attitude is very clear,” Mr. Guo said. “We do not want to fight, but nor are we afraid to. If forced to fight, we will do so to the end. When it comes to talks, our door is wide open.”
Throughout, Mr. Trump had encouraged China to come to the table, even suggesting Chinese leader Xi Jinping was keen to make a deal, but Beijing showed no signs of blinking, publicly dismissing the threat of U.S. tariffs and seeking to build ties with partners in Europe and Southeast Asia. This approach was bolstered by Mr. Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs on almost every country in the world, which alienated U.S. trading partners, helping China advance itself as the more responsible global player.
After weeks of rancor, Trump says trade deal with China could happen ‘pretty quickly’
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