The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

Commenting on recent US claims that China has violated the consensus reached in the China-US economic and trade talks in Geneva, a spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) stated on Monday that the Chinese side has noted the situation. According to the statement released by the ministry on Monday, on May 12, following the release of the Joint Statement on the China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva, China, in accordance with the consensus reached, canceled or suspended relevant tariff and non-tariff measures targeting the US "reciprocal tariffs." China, with a responsible attitude, has earnestly addressed, strictly implemented, and actively upheld the consensus of the economic and trade talks in Geneva. China's commitment to safeguarding its rights is resolute, and its implementation of the consensus reflects integrity.

In contrast, the US, after the talks in Geneva, has successively introduced multiple discriminatory restrictions against China, including issuing AI chip export control guidance, halting sales of chip design software – electronic design automation (EDA) – to China, and announcing the revocation of visas for Chinese students.

These actions seriously violate the consensus reached during the January 17 phone call between the two heads of state, severely undermine the existing consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and significantly harm China's legitimate rights and interests. The US has continuously provoked new trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations. Instead of reflecting on its own actions, it unjustly shifts blame, baselessly accusing China of violating the consensus, which gravely deviates from the facts. China firmly rejects these unwarranted accusations, the spokesperson said.

The Joint Statement on China-US Economic and Trade Meeting in Geneva is an important consensus reached by both sides based on mutual respect and equal consultation, and its outcomes were hard-won, the spokesperson said, urging the US to meet China halfway, immediately correct its erroneous actions, and jointly uphold the consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks to promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-US trade relations. 

If the US persists in its unilateral approach and continues to harm China's interests, China will resolutely take strong measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, the MOFCOM spokesperson noted. 

Global Times