Trump refutes Chinese claims that the two economic powers have not talked trade

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump asserted on April 24 that trade talks between the US and China are underway, pushing back against Chinese claims that no discussions have taken place to ease the ongoing trade war.

They had a meeting this morning, Mr Trump told reporters, declining to say to whom he was referring. It doesnt matter who they is. We may reveal it later, but they had meetings this morning, and weve been meeting with China.

China on April 24 said it had not held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the US government suggesting there had been engagement.

China and the United States have not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters at a news briefing, calling reports of such information false news.

A White House official said lower level in-person talks as well as a phone call between US and Chinese staff had taken place this week.

The conflicting statements from Washington and Beijing underscore the strained communication and uncertainty defining the current trade war, adding volatility to global markets and prolonging economic pain on both sides.

American businesses face soaring import costs, while Chinese exporters are squeezed by falling US demand.

Mr Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week indicated there might be an easing in tensions with China.

On April 23, Mr Bessent said excessively high tariffs between the US and China will have to come down before trade negotiations can proceed, and that de-escalation was necessary for the world’s two largest economies to rebalance their trading relationship.

The White House earlier in April imposed 145 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods, prompting Beijing to respond with duties of its own and increased restrictions on critical minerals exports to the