Chinese envoys are preparing to travel to the United States for trade talks, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said, suggesting negotiations on ending a bruising tariff war will proceed despite U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to raise import taxes.
Beijing is "trying to get more information" following Trump's surprise announcement he might impose 25% tariffs on more Chinese imports, the spokesman noted.
"A Chinese team is preparing to travel to the United States for trade talks," the AP cited Shuang as saying.
"We hope the United States will join efforts with China and we can meet each other halfway so we make a mutually beneficial agreement on the basis of win-win and mutual respect," he said.
Trump turned up the heat Sunday by saying he would raise import taxes on $200 billion in Chinese products to 25% from 10% as of Friday. Washington already is charging 25% duty on another $50 billion of Chinese imports.Trump pushed back deadlines in January and March to raise tariffs in a bid to buy more time for negotiations. But on Sunday, Trump said on Twitter a deal with Beijing was coming "too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!"
Trump also threatened to slap tariffs on another $325 billion in imports from China, covering everything it ships annually to the United States. Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese imports on July 6 in response to complaints Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand technology.
