At a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese mainland's Foreign Ministry, reiterated Beijing's opposition to the U.S. tariff policy under the Trump administration, highlighting the mainland's "consistent" openness to dialogue.
"Any talks must be based on equality, mutual respect and reciprocity. Pressure or coercion in any form will not work on China," Lin said, emphasizing a no-coercion approach as the foundation for any fruitful negotiations.
Lin also pointed out the U.S.'s repeated calls for dialogue, framing them as an opportunity for both sides to bridge gaps and address trade imbalances in a mutually beneficial way.
The spokesperson added that the Chinese mainland will resolutely safeguard its legitimate interests and uphold international fairness and justice, framing the stance as both principled and pragmatic.
Meanwhile, images of stacked containers at a Shanghai port on May 7, 2025, serve as a reminder of global trade's vast scale and the economic ripple effects at stake when major economies lock horns.
Young global citizens and business leaders alike will be watching closely as these talks unfold, with many hoping for a shift from tariffs to cooperation that supports innovation, sustainability and shared growth.
Reference(s):
On trade talks with U.S., China stresses 'equality, mutual respect'
cgtn.com
