Beijing dismisses Trump's 'groundless' claims that US and China are negotiating on slashing tariffs
Chinese officials have dismissed as "groundless" Donald Trump's claims that Washington and Beijing are in talks to reduce the tariffs the two countries have imposed on each other.
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Beijing said the US president's remarks that the the final tariff rate on China's exports would come down "substantially" from the current 145% were akin to "trying to catch the wind".
China and the US have been at the forefront of the trade war that erupted about a month ago on Mr Trump's so-called 'Liberation Day', when he unveiled a sweeping array of import taxes.
Several hints have since emerged that some countries could reduce their tariff rates, amid fears of the catastrophic effect Mr Trump's policy and other countries' reactions may have on the global economy.
China's Ministry of Commerce said it was "open to consultations and dialogues" but insisted that any talks "must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and in an equal manner."
A spokesman added: "Any claims about the progress of China-US trade negotiations are groundless as trying to catch the wind and have no factual basis."
Mr Trump had told reporters earlier in the week that "everything's active" when asked if he was engaging with China, although his Treasury Secretary had said there were no formal negotiations.
Mr Trump placed tariffs of 145% on imports from China, while China hit back with 125% tariffs on US products.
While Mr Trump has given other countries a 90-day pause on the tariffs, as their leaders pledged to negotiate with the US, China remained the exception.
Instead, Beijing raised its own tariffs and deployed other economic measures in response, while vowing to "fight to the end".
For example, China restricted exports of rare earth minerals and raised multiple cases against the US at the World Trade Organisation.
China also made it clear that talks should involve the cancellation of all tariffs it currently faces.
"The unilateral tariff increase measures were initiated by the United States. If the United States really wants to solve the problem, it should face up to the rational voices of the international community and all parties at home, completely cancel all unilateral tariff measures against China, and find ways to resolve differences through equal dialogue," government spokesman He Yadong said.
Despite the economic measures levelled against China, Mr Trump said that he would be "very nice" and not play hardball with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"We're going to live together very happily and ideally work together," Mr Trump said.