Tariff talks back on table? China says 'evaluating' US offer, 'door open'

China has said it is open to trade negotiations with the United States but warned that talks cannot proceed unless Washington shows genuine intent by reversing its unilateral tariff measures.

According to news agency Associated Press, the statement, issued Friday by China’s commerce ministry, said that Beijing is currently assessing several approaches made by the Trump administration to reinitiate discussions. But it stressed that one-sided tariff hikes—some reaching 145%—will have to go.

“China's position is consistent. If we fight, we will fight to the end; if we talk, the door is open. The tariff and trade wars were unilaterally initiated by the US. If the US side wants to talk, it should show its sincerity and be ready to correct wrong practices, including cancelling the unilateral imposition of tariffs,” the ministry said, quoting an unnamed spokesperson.

According to the statement, senior US officials have recently conveyed, through intermediaries, a willingness to engage in discussions. China has acknowledged these attempts but cautioned that simply expressing interest is not enough.

The US “says one thing but does another,” the spokesperson said, adding that China would not respond to any attempt at coercion or "blackmail under the guise of talks".

In retaliation to US president Donald Trump’s tariff hikes, China raised import duties on US goods to as high as 125%, restricted exports of key minerals, and halted imports of a range of American agricultural products.