WASHINGTON/BEIJING: The White House on Tuesday said trade talks between the United States and China have made progress, despite Donald Trump’s tariffs policy and Beijing’s retaliatory measures.
“We’re doing very well in respect to a potential trade deal with China,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. “The president and the administration are setting the stage for a deal… the ball is moving in the right direction.”
The remarks come amid ongoing negotiations aimed at resolving a tariff war that has seen China slapped with duties of up to 145 percent on various products.
In retaliation, Beijing has imposed tariffs of up to 125 percent on US goods.
Earlier today, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urged the United Kingdom and the European Union to cooperate with Beijing in safeguarding the multilateral trading system.
In a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Wang said, “Against the current backdrop of rampant unilateral bullying, China and the UK have a responsibility to… safeguard the multilateral trading order,” according to a statement from China’s foreign ministry.
Wang also spoke with Austria’s Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger, during which he called on the EU to jointly defend the global trading system.
“China and the EU should shoulder international responsibilities, jointly defend the multilateral trading system, and work together to build an open world economy,” he said.
Despite the rising trade tensions, Brussels reiterated that the European Union’s approach to China remains centred on “de-risking” rather than “decoupling.”
The European Commission clarified on Tuesday that it does not intend to sever economic ties with China, amid speculation that the US had encouraged its allies to do so.
“The European Union will not decouple from the Chinese economy as a condition for reaching a trade deal with Donald Trump’s administration,” a Commission spokesperson said.
Arianna Podestà, the Commission’s deputy spokesperson, added, “We have ongoing trade negotiations with our US counterparts. It’s a negotiation between two parties… distinct from our relation with China.”
The US tariffs on global imports, including a blanket 10 percent duty, have hit numerous trading partners.
China, however, faces significantly higher levies. The White House has temporarily suspended some tariffs for countries except China for 90 days, offering a window for negotiations.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said Latin America might consider distancing itself from China, stating, “Maybe, yeah, maybe they should do that.”
The comment drew swift criticism from Beijing.
In a strongly worded statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce warned against any deals being struck at the expense of its interests.
“China firmly opposes any party reaching a deal at the expense of China’s interests… China will never accept it and will resolutely take countermeasures in a reciprocal manner,” the ministry stated.
“No one can remain immune to the impact of unilateralism and protectionism.”
