On Negotiations With The US Regarding Import Tariffs, China: It Doesn't Exist!

JAKARTA - Rumors about negotiations with the United States (US) regarding the application of trade rates set by US President Donald Trump have been officially denied by the Chinese government.

"China and the US did not conduct any consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs. The US must stop creating confusion," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference in Beijing, quoted from ANTARA, Saturday, April 26.

Earlier on Thursday (24/4), President Donald Trump confirmed that trade talks between the US and China were underway although they did not state who negotiated well from both sides.

"They had a meeting this morning. It doesn't matter who 'they are'. We might reveal it later, but they held a meeting this morning, and we have met with China," Trump said.

Guo Jiakun also emphasized that the tariff war starts from the US so that China's position is consistent that it will continue to fight back. If the US wants to negotiate, dialogue and negotiations must be based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit.

Regarding the fentanyl issue which was referred to as the beginning of the tariff application because Donald Trump said that China made fentanyl into the US, Guo Jiakun said it was a US issue.

"Fentanyl is a US issue, not China, the US itself is responsible for solving it," said Guo Jiakun.

Although China has shown good intentions, said Guo Jiakun, the US still charges Chinese imports and uses fentanyl reasons.

"This is comprehensive intimidation, and it is very damaging to dialogue and cooperation in the eradication of narcotics. The US must know that vilifying other parties will not eliminate its responsibilities that fail to address fentanyl issues, intimidation or threats are certainly not the right way to deal with China," said Guo Jiakun.

The Donald Trump administration has charged up to 245 percent of imported goods from China, while China retaliates at a rate of 125 percent of US products.

While Trump has given other countries a 90-day tariff gap, as the country's leaders pledged to negotiate with the US, although China remains an exception.

In contrast, Beijing raised its rates and implemented other economic measures as a form of statement to "fight until the end", for example by limiting exports of rare earth minerals and filing a number of lawsuits against the US in the World Trade Organization (WTO).