Beijing has renewed its call for Washington to cancel unilateral tariffs on Chinese goods, highlighting ongoing tensions between the world’s two largest economies ahead of their first trade talks.
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00:00Meanwhile, Beijing has reiterated its call for the U.S. to cancel unilateral tariffs on China,
00:07underscoring ongoing tensions between the world's two largest economies as they gear up for their first trade talk.
00:14China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong stressed that while Beijing remains open to dialogue,
00:21any discussions must be based on mutual respect, equal consultation and reciprocity.
00:28His remarks came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the idea of lowering tariffs on China,
00:34currently at 145% for most goods, to unlock more substantive negotiations with Beijing.
00:41Despite this hardline stance, Trump had previously suggested he might consider reducing tariffs on China at some point.
00:49Both sides are staking out firm positions to strengthen their leverage ahead of their first trade talks this weekend in Switzerland.
00:57Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besson indicated that trade deals with several major U.S. trading partners
01:04could be announced as early as this week, though he clarified that China is not yet among them.