China Shows Openness to U.S. Trade Talks, But Demands Tariff Rollback First

China has announced it is “currently assessing” U.S. proposals to begin trade talks, marking the first sign of a possible thaw in relations since President Trump sharply escalated tariffs last month. According to statements from China’s Ministry of Commerce, the U.S. has made multiple overtures through official channels, expressing a willingness to negotiate on tariffs and broader trade issues.

A Shift in Tone-But With Firm Preconditions

This marks a subtle but meaningful shift in Beijing’s public stance. While China previously rejected claims that talks were underway, officials now acknowledge they are evaluating Washington’s outreach. However, Chinese authorities remain adamant that any negotiations must be preceded by a rollback of the recent U.S. tariff hikes, which have pushed rates on Chinese goods to 145% and provoked retaliatory 125% tariffs on American exports.

Economic and Political Pressures Mount

The ongoing tariff standoff has caused a sharp decline in trade volumes between the world’s two largest economies, with exporters and importers reporting significant slowdowns. China’s manufacturing sector has suffered its steepest contraction in over a year, and global markets remain unsettled by the uncertainty surrounding U.S.-China relations.

While President Trump has repeatedly claimed that China is eager for talks and that a deal is possible, Beijing’s official statements make clear that any negotiations are contingent on the U.S. making the first move by reducing or removing tariffs.

Outlook: Door Open, But Only If Tariffs Are Addressed

China’s message is clear: it is open to dialogue, but only if the U.S. demonstrates “genuine sincerity” by rolling back its unilateral tariff increases. Until then, both sides remain locked in a high-stakes standoff, with significant implications for global trade and economic stability.

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Sources

1. CNBC: China says it’s evaluating US overtures to initiate talks on trade
2. CNN: China says it’s evaluating possible trade talks with the US
3. Reuters: China ‘evaluating’ US offer to talk tariffs; warns against ‘extortion’
4. Bloomberg: China Hints at Possible Thaw With US in Evaluating Trade Talks
5. Al Jazeera: China says it is ‘evaluating’ Trump administration’s outreach on tariffs