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U.S. officials have reached out to their Chinese counterparts to initiate talks on sweeping tariffs that have unsettled global trade, while President Donald Trump claims Beijing is seeking a deal, according to a Chinese state-linked media outlet on Thursday.
The report by Yuyuan Tantian, a platform affiliated with China’s state broadcaster CCTV, cited unnamed sources saying Washington was “proactively” reaching out through “multiple channels” to engage Beijing on the issue.
The outreach comes after the United States imposed punitive tariffs of up to 145% on a wide range of Chinese imports in April. In response, China slapped retaliatory tariffs of up to 125% on American goods.
“From a negotiation standpoint, the U.S. is currently the more anxious party,” the outlet said on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, adding that the Trump administration is under mounting pressure.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that China is seeking talks. Speaking at a NewsNation town hall on Wednesday, he reiterated that “there’s a very good chance we’re going to make a deal,” but stressed that any agreement must be “on our terms” and “fair.”
Despite Trump’s remarks, Beijing has consistently denied that formal negotiations are taking place. Chinese officials have instead urged Washington to engage in dialogue that is “fair, respectful, and reciprocal.”
China has signaled it is prepared to endure a prolonged trade conflict if necessary. A video posted this week by the Chinese Foreign Ministry vowed to “never kneel down,” reinforcing the country’s tough posture.
With bilateral trade totaling over $582 billion in 2024 and a U.S. trade deficit with China of $295 billion, the long-standing imbalance remains a core source of tension between the world’s two largest economies.
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