Ministry of Commerce spokesman answers reporters' questions on Sino-US high-level economic and trade talks

The Zhitong Finance App learned that a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters regarding the high-level economic and trade talks between China and the US. Among them, it was mentioned that recently, senior US officials have been continuously liberalizing tariff measures and actively conveying information to the Chinese side through various channels, hoping to discuss issues such as tariffs with the Chinese side. The Chinese side has carefully evaluated the information from the US side. On the basis of fully considering global expectations, China's interests, and the appeals of the US industry and consumers, China decided to agree to engage with the US side. Vice Premier He Lifeng, as the Chinese leader of Sino-US trade, will hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Bezent during his visit to Switzerland.

The original text is as follows:

Ministry of Commerce spokesman answers reporters' questions on Sino-US high-level economic and trade talks

A reporter asked: On the morning of May 7, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released news that Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Switzerland from May 9 to 12, during which time he will hold talks with the US. Could the Ministry of Commerce explain the background and relevant considerations of this meeting?

A: Since the new US administration took office, it has adopted a series of illegal and unreasonable unilateral tariff measures, seriously impacting Sino-US economic and trade relations, seriously disrupting the international economic and trade order, and posing serious challenges to the recovery and growth of the world economy. In order to defend its legitimate rights and interests, China has taken firm and strong countermeasures. Recently, senior US officials have continued to relax tariff measures and have taken the initiative to send information to the Chinese side through various channels, hoping to discuss issues such as tariffs with the Chinese side. The Chinese side has carefully evaluated the information from the US side. On the basis of fully considering global expectations, China's interests, and the appeals of the US industry and consumers, China decided to agree to engage with the US side. Vice Premier He Lifeng, as the Chinese leader of Sino-US trade, will hold talks with US Treasury Secretary Bezent during his visit to Switzerland.

China's position has always been consistent. Whether it is fighting or negotiating, China's determination to safeguard its own development interests will not change, and its position and goals of defending international fairness and justice and maintaining the international economic and trade order will not change. Fight and stay with us to the end; talk, keep the door open. Any dialogue and negotiation must be carried out on the premise of mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit. There is an old Chinese saying, “Listen to what you say and see what you do.” If the US side wants to resolve the issue through negotiations, it must face up to the serious negative impact of unilateral tariff measures on itself and the world, face up to international economic and trade rules, fairness and justice, and rational voices from all sectors, show sincerity in discussions, correct erroneous practices, move in the opposite direction with China, and resolve the concerns of both sides through equal consultation. If we talk about it, do it all, or even try to continue coercion and blackmail under the guise of negotiations, China will never agree, let alone sacrifice its position of principle or international fairness and justice to seek any agreement.

The Chinese side has noticed that some economies are also in negotiations with the US. What needs to be emphasized is that appeasement cannot be exchanged for peace; compromise is not respected; adhering to a position of principle and adhering to fairness and justice is the only correct way to protect one's own interests. No matter how the international situation changes, China will always unswervingly expand its openness, unswervingly maintain the multilateral trading system with WTO at its core, and unswervingly share development opportunities with countries around the world. China is ready to work with all parties to continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination, jointly resist unilateral protectionism and hegemonic bullying, jointly safeguard free trade and multilateralism, and promote the globalization of an inclusive economy.

This article was selected from the “Ministry of Commerce” official website, Zhitong Finance Editor: Liu Jiayin.