According to the WeChat official account "Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States" on May 8, a spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in the United States answered questions from journalists regarding high-level talks between China and the United States on economic and trade issues.
Question: After the announcement by the Chinese side that it would hold talks with the U.S. side, the U.S. side still stated that it will not reduce tariffs before starting negotiations with China and implied that the negotiations were not initiated by the U.S. side. What are the comments of the Chinese side?
Answer: Regarding the high-level talks between China and the United States on economic and trade issues, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce of China have made statements. I would like to emphasize the following three points:
First, the U.S. side has recently conveyed messages through various channels to actively seek talks with China on issues such as tariffs. The Chinese side has decided to agree to contact with the U.S. side after carefully assessing the information from the U.S. side. These talks are held at the request of the U.S. side.
Second, the Chinese side firmly opposes the U.S.'s wanton imposition of tariffs. It will resolutely safeguard its own legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, uphold the rules of the World Trade Organization, and the multilateral trading system.
Third, the tariff war was initiated by the U.S. side. If the U.S. side really wants to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop threatening pressure and engage in dialogue with China on an equal, respectful, and mutually beneficial basis. The Chinese side will never accept the U.S. saying one thing and doing another, let alone sacrificing principles and positions or sacrificing international fairness and justice to seek to reach any agreement.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7501907968800129590/
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