China says it s currently evaluating US offer of tariff talks

BEIJING – China on May 2 said it is evaluating a US offer for negotiations on tariffs but wanted Washington to show “sincerity” and be ready to scrap levies that have roiled global markets and supply chains.

Punishing US tariffs that have reached 145 per cent on many Chinese products came into force in April, while Beijing has responded with fresh 125 per cent duties on imports from the US.

High-end tech goods such as smartphones, semiconductors and computers have received a temporary reprieve from US tariffs.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has reached out for talks on the tariffs. On April 30, Mr Trump reiterated there was a “very good chance we’re going to make a deal”.

Beijing’s commerce ministry on May 2 confirmed the US had reached out and that it was “currently evaluating” the offer.

But, it said, any talks would first require sincerity from the US side.

“If the US wants to talk, it should show its sincerity to do so, be prepared to correct its wrong practices and cancel unilateral tariffs,” the ministry said.

“In any possible dialogue or talks, if the US side does not correct its wrong unilateral tariff measures, it just means the US side is completely insincere and will further damage the mutual trust between the two sides,” it added.

“Saying one thing and doing another, or even attempting coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks will not work,” the commerce ministry said.

Dozens of countries face a 90-day deadline expiring in July to strike an agreement with Washington and avoid higher, country-specific rates.

But Beijing had vowed to fight a trade war to the bitter end if needed, with a video posted on social media this week by its Foreign Ministry vowing to “never kneel