On May 8, a spokesperson for the US Embassy answered questions from reporters on the high-level economic and trade talks between China and the US. Q: After the news that China recently announced that it will hold talks with the US side, the US side still stated that it will not lower tariffs until negotiations with China begin, and hinted that the negotiations were not initiated by the US side. What comments does the Chinese side have on this? A: Regarding the high-level economic and trade talks between China and the US, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce have already made statements. I would like to emphasize the following three points: 1. The US side has recently taken the initiative to send information to China through various channels, hoping to discuss issues such as tariffs with the Chinese side. The Chinese side decided to agree to engage with the US side after carefully evaluating the information from the US side. The talks were held at the request of the US side. 2. China's firm opposition to the abusive application of tariffs by the United States is consistent. It will firmly uphold its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, and safeguard WTO rules and the multilateral trading system. 3. This tariff war was instigated by the US side. If the US side really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop threatening and pressuring and engage in dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit. China will never accept what the US says and does, let alone seek to reach any agreement at the expense of its position of principle or international fairness and justice.

On May 8, a spokesperson for the US Embassy answered questions from reporters on the high-level economic and trade talks between China and the US. Q: After the news that China recently announced that it will hold talks with the US side, the US side still stated that it will not lower tariffs until negotiations with China begin, and hinted that the negotiations were not initiated by the US side. What comments does the Chinese side have on this? A: Regarding the high-level economic and trade talks between China and the US, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce have already made statements. I would like to emphasize the following three points: 1. The US side has recently taken the initiative to send information to China through various channels, hoping to discuss issues such as tariffs with the Chinese side. The Chinese side decided to agree to engage with the US side after carefully evaluating the information from the US side. The talks were held at the request of the US side. 2. China's firm opposition to the abusive application of tariffs by the United States is consistent. It will firmly uphold its legitimate rights and interests and international fairness and justice, and safeguard WTO rules and the multilateral trading system. 3. This tariff war was instigated by the US side. If the US side really wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop threatening and pressuring and engage in dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit. China will never accept what the US says and does, let alone seek to reach any agreement at the expense of its position of principle or international fairness and justice.