(China, May 2) — The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has stated that the U.S. has repeatedly reached out to initiate tariff negotiations, and China is currently assessing the situation.
In response to questions on the status of U.S.-China trade dialogue, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce noted on its official website that Chinese officials have observed multiple public statements from high-ranking U.S. officials expressing a willingness to negotiate tariffs with China. Additionally, the U.S. has actively conveyed its interest in discussions through various channels. China is now evaluating the matter.
The spokesperson reiterated China’s consistent position: if there is conflict, it will stand firm, but if there are talks, the door is open. Since the tariff and trade disputes were unilaterally initiated by the U.S., any negotiations require the U.S. to demonstrate sincerity by rectifying its mistakes and preparing to remove unilateral tariff measures.
The spokesperson also highlighted recent signals from the U.S. about adjusting tariff policies. However, China emphasized that any potential dialogue would lack credibility if the U.S. fails to correct its unilateral tariff actions, which would further erode mutual trust.
On May 1, Chinese state media platform Yu Yuetan Tian, affiliated with China Central Television, cited sources claiming that the U.S. has recently approached China through multiple channels to discuss tariffs. Analysts suggested this does not indicate Washington’s willingness to make concessions in the tariff war, while Beijing appears inclined to delay negotiations until a more favorable time. However, China acknowledges that prolonged delays are not feasible, and U.S.-China tariff talks are expected to resume within three to six months.