In the latest move on the world stage, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce has agreed to discuss U.S. tariff measures with U.S. officials during Vice Premier He Lifeng's visit to Switzerland from May 9–12. The announcement, made on May 7, comes after months of escalating trade tensions and unilateral tariff actions by the new U.S. administration.
“Since the new U.S. government took office, it has adopted a series of unilateral tariff measures that are illegal and unreasonable,” said the Ministry during a press briefing. These actions have “severely impacted China-U.S. economic and trade relations, disrupted the international economic and trade order, and posed severe challenges to global economic recovery and growth.” In response, China implemented resolute countermeasures to safeguard its interests, and now, signals from senior U.S. officials hint at possible tariff adjustments.
With global expectations, China’s interests, and calls from the U.S. business community and consumers in mind, the Chinese side has decided to engage. As the country’s lead on China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, Vice Premier He Lifeng will meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Switzerland. “Whether through confrontation or negotiation, China’s determination to safeguard its development interests will not change,” the Ministry emphasized.
Key principles for any dialogue include mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit. The Ministry stressed that if the U.S. wishes to resolve issues through negotiation, it must acknowledge the negative impacts of its unilateral tariffs, respect international trade rules, and demonstrate sincerity by correcting its missteps.
“If the U.S. says one thing but does another, or even attempts to use negotiations as a pretext to continue coercion, China will never agree,” the Ministry warned. It also noted that appeasement cannot bring peace and compromise cannot earn respect. Going forward, China will continue to expand opening-up, uphold a multilateral trading system centered on the WTO, and share development opportunities globally.
China is “willing to work with all parties to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination, jointly resist unilateral protectionism and hegemonic bullying, safeguard free trade and multilateralism, and promote the building of an inclusive economic globalization.”
Reference(s):
China’s Ministry of Commerce answers question on China-U.S. talks
cgtn.com
