Guo Jiakun, Chinese FM spokesperson Photo:VCG

At a regular press conference on Wednesday, a reporter claimed that according to media reports, the US president claimed that “we’re doing fine with China,” he would be “very nice” to China and not play hardball,” and the 145% tariffs on China were "very high” and will “come down substantially. but it won't be zero.” Also, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s reportedly claimed that the current situation is essentially a trade embargo, it was not the US goal to decouple from China, and the two sides could potentially reach a comprehensive agreement within two to three years.

Asked to comment on those remarks, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that China has long stated that there are no winners in trade or tariff wars, that protectionism leads nowhere, and that attempts to decouple or sever supply chains will only result in self-isolation.

China’s position on the US-initiated tariff war is clear: we do not want a trade war, but we are not afraid of one: If it comes to a fight, we will fight to the end; if it’s negotiations, our doors are wide open, according to Guo.

Guo stressed that if the US truly wishes to resolve issues through negotiations, it should stop threatening and coercing, and engage in talks with China based on equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity. Saying that it wants a trade deal with China, while continuing maximum pressure is not the right way to engage with China, nor will it work, Guo said.

Global Times