China said Friday it is evaluating a US offer for negotiations on tariffs but insisted Washington must be ready to scrap levies that have roiled global markets and supply chains before talks can begin.
Punishing US tariffs that have reached 145% on many Chinese products came into force in April, while Beijing has responded with fresh 125% duties on imports from the United States.
High-end tech goods such as smartphones, semiconductors, and computers have received a reprieve from US tariffs.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has reached out for talks on the tariffs, and this week said he believed there was a “very good chance we’re going to make a deal”.
Beijing’s commerce ministry on Friday said that it was the US that had reached out and that it was “currently evaluating” the offer.
But, it said, any talks would first require concessions from the US side.
“If the US wants to talk, it should show its sincerity to do so, be prepared to correct its wrong practices, and cancel unilateral tariffs,” the ministry said.
“In any possible dialogue or talks, if the US side does not correct its wrong unilateral tariff measures, it just means the US side is completely insincere and will further damage the mutual trust between the two sides,” it added.
“Saying one thing and doing another, or even attempting coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks, will not work,” the commerce ministry said.
