China on Monday called on the United States to work towards “positive” trade outcomes, a day before the expiry of a tariff truce agreed by both nations last month.
“We hope that the US will work with China to follow the important consensus reached during the phone call between the two heads of state… and strive for positive outcomes based on equality, respect and mutual benefit,” foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said in a statement.
Beijing and Washington have been negotiating to ease trade tensions after U.S. President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries. In May, the two sides agreed to a 90-day pause, later followed by talks in Stockholm aimed at extending the ceasefire beyond its August 12 deadline.
Under the current arrangement, U.S. duties on Chinese goods stand at 30 per cent, while China’s tariffs on U.S. products are at 10 per cent. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said after the Stockholm talks that Trump would make the “final decision” on whether to prolong the deal.
Trump’s broader trade policy has included higher tariffs on multiple trading partners, including a 35 per cent levy on Canada, which took effect Thursday as part of his push to reshape global commerce in favour of the U.S. economy.
