China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

When asked to comment on that the White House press secretary quoted the US president saying "The ball is in China's court, and China needs to make a deal with us", and whether China is communicating or will communicate with the US in the near future, Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) spokesperson He Yongqian said on Thursday that the ministry has been always maintaining working-level communication with its US counterparts. 

China's position has been consistent and clear — it remains open to economic and trade consultations with the US, He said, adding that the unilateral tariff hikes were initiated entirely by the US. To untie the bell, you need the person who tied the bell, according to He.

We urge the US to immediately stop its maximum pressure tactics, coercion, and blackmail, and resolve differences through equal dialogue based on mutual respect, according to the spokesperson.

Global Times