In brief
The ongoing trade dispute sees increasing tensions, with China addressing frustrations over US tariffs and Boeing plane returns.
China is making a strong call for the US to lift its extensive tariffs on Chinese goods, emphasizing that this is a crucial step if President Donald Trump wants to engage seriously in trade discussions. Despite claims from the Trump administration, a Chinese official stated that true negotiations have not yet begun. The trade war between the US and China continues to escalate, with China recently sending back Boeing aircraft it had ordered from America in response to US tariffs, which have reached as high as 145%.President Trump has suggested a potential easing of tariffs, indicating the imposed taxes on Chinese imports would be significantly reduced, but he has not committed to eliminating them entirely. In a bold statement, China's Commerce Ministry spokesperson, He Yadong, insisted that if the US genuinely desires to resolve the trade conflict, it must first eliminate all "unilateral tariff measures." Additionally, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun noted that reports of ongoing trade consultations between the two countries are untrue. Contradicting Trump’s earlier statements implying active negotiations, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that formal talks had not yet commenced.While Trump seeks to be "very nice" in negotiations to achieve a favorable trade deal, he also expressed frustrations through his Truth Social platform, suggesting that Boeing should hold China accountable for the return of aircraft. Trump reiterated accusations regarding the ongoing issue of synthetic opioids being trafficked into the US from China.In the face of these tensions, China recently facilitated a roundtable discussion involving over 80 foreign companies to address how US tariffs are impacting their operations. Aiming to turn challenges into opportunities, Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji emphasized the importance of adapting to the current situation.
