Headquarters of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce. Photo: Bich Thuan/VOV

The statement by a ministry spokesperson was posted on the website of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce in the form of a question and answer.

When asked about the recent US's repeated claims that it is negotiating with China on economic and trade issues and will reach an agreement, the spokesperson said “China has noted the repeated statements from senior US officials expressing a willingness to negotiate with China on tariff issues.”  

The spokesperson reiterated Beijing’s stance that the tariff war was unilaterally initiated by the US. If Washington wants to talk, it needs to show sincerity and take concrete action.

Beijing’s latest statement is seen as sending a softer and more flexible signal towards negotiations to deescalate trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.