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The Chinese government has appeared to dismiss President Donald Trump’s claim that direct trade negotiations are ongoing between Washington D.C. and Beijing.
Trump was asked by reporters on Wednesday whether there had been “any direct contact between the U.S. and China on trade.” The president replied: “Yeh, of course. Every day.”
Trump’s statement was denied by the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press conference on Thursday.
“None of that is true. As I have learned, China and the U.S. are not having consultations or negotiations on tariffs, still less reaching a deal,” he said, according to The Associated Press.
“This tariff war is launched by the U.S. China’s position is consistent and clear. We will fight a fight if we must. Our doors are open if the U.S. wants to talk. Dialogue and negotiation must be based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit.”
He later added: “If the US really wants to handle the problem through negotiations, it needs to quit extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing China, and seek dialogue with China based on equality and mutual respect.”
Newsweek contacted the U.S. State Department and the Chinese Foreign Office for comment outside of regular office hours.
This is a breaking story. More to follow.
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