BEIJING: A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S. on Friday denied the existence of negotiations between China and the U.S. over tariffs, slamming statements by U.S. officials claiming that the two sides have held discussions.
“As far as I know, there have been no consultations or negotiations between China and the U.S. on the issue of tariffs, let alone any agreement being reached,” the spokesperson said in response to a media query, noting that the tariff war was unilaterally provoked by the U.S. and that “whoever caused the knot should be the one to untie it.”
China’s counter-tariff measures to uphold global fairness and justice: Wang Yi
Meanwhile, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi called China’s countermeasures against the tariff policy of the Trump administration “necessary” to defend its own legitimate rights and interests, and also a means to “uphold international rules and order, fairness and justice.”
Wang, member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Minister of Foreign Affairs, made the remarks at the sixth China-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Saturday in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Wang slammed Trump’s tariff policy, saying the unilateral move has breached World Trade Organization rules, undermined the rules-based multilateral trading system, and destabilized the global economy.
As the world’s second-largest economy and a responsible major country, China, he affirmed, will unwaveringly pursue high-level opening up, seek shared development with its neighbors, and create opportunities for the world, regardless of how the international landscape may shift.
China will also continue to shoulder its due international responsibilities and fulfill its global obligations, Wang said.
