U.S. Reaches Out to China for Tariff Talks Amid Rising Trade Tensions

United States officials have reached out to their Chinese counterparts for talks on sweeping tariffs that have disrupted markets and global supply chains, according to a Beijing-backed outlet on Thursday. The punishing U.S. tariffs, which have reached 145 percent on many Chinese products, came into effect in April. In response, Beijing imposed 125 percent duties on U.S. imports. The Chinese outlet Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, reported that Washington was “proactively” seeking dialogue through “multiple channels.”

“From a negotiation standpoint the U.S. is currently the more anxious party,” said the outlet, which blends analysis with news reporting, on the X-like platform Weibo. “The Trump administration is facing multiple pressures,” it added. AFP has reached out to China’s foreign ministry for comment.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has initiated contact for talks. On Wednesday, he said there was a “very good chance we’re going to make a deal.” He emphasized, “But we’re going to make it on our terms and it’s got to be fair,” during a NewsNation town hall.

Beijing has strongly denied that any talks are underway while continuing to urge the U.S. to engage in a “fair, respectful and reciprocal” manner. At the same time, it has vowed to fight a trade war to the bitter end if necessary, with a video posted this week by its foreign ministry declaring that China would “never kneel down!”