A Chinese official said Monday that Beijing was still planning on sending negotiators to the U.S. for scheduled trade talks this week, despite President Trump’s abrupt threat Sunday to place tariffs of 25% on all incoming goods from China, a sharp escalation in the trade war between the countries.
“We are also in the process of understanding the relevant situation,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters. “What I can tell you is that China’s team is preparing to go to the United States for the discussions.”
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is scheduled to travel to Washington, D.C., this week to continue talks, following a trip to Beijing last week by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Administration officials had previously indicated that a deal was close. On Sunday, however, Trump tweeted that he would raise the existing tariffs on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25% across the board, up from 10% for most of the goods, and impose 25% tariffs on an additional $325 billion worth of goods, accounting for the rest of Chinese imports to the U.S. The new policy would be effective Friday.
Trump’s tweets signaled a possible breakdown in the talks, as the president said he was frustrated by the lack of progress. “The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!” the president tweeted.
