Beijing — In a move that could signal a possible shift in the tense trade relationship between the world’s two largest economies, the United States has reportedly reached out to China, expressing a desire to reopen talks on tariffs.
According to a social media post from Yuyuan Tantian, a platform linked to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, Washington has made several attempts through different channels to initiate discussions on President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a hefty 145% tariff on Chinese goods. The post, citing unnamed sources, suggests that the U.S. is eager to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.
But the Chinese government isn’t echoing the same sentiment—at least not publicly. On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun told reporters that, “As far as I know, there have been no consultations or negotiations between China and the U.S. on tariffs.”
This contradicts remarks made by Trump in a recent U.S. media interview, in which he claimed that his administration was in talks with China and that President Xi Jinping had personally called him to discuss the tariff situation. Chinese officials, however, quickly rejected that version of events, accusing Washington of “misleading the public.”
As the two sides continue to exchange mixed messages, the global business community is left wondering: Is this a genuine attempt to ease tensions—or just another round of political posturing?
For now, the world watches and waits, hoping that cooler heads and clearer communication will prevail.
