Recent indications from Washington suggest a possible easing of tariffs—a gesture Beijing has been calling for. But Chinese officials are firm in their position: talks can only continue if the U.S. removes all one-sided tariffs and treats China on an equal footing. This article analyzes China’s diplomatic approach, the changing rhetoric of the Trump administration, and the economic currents driving this high-stakes standoff.
China’s firm stand: “No trade talks until tariffs are removed”
Chinese officials have consistently declined to have direct trade negotiations with the U.S., even though President Donald Trump has daily contact. “There are absolutely no trade negotiations at all between China and the U.S. now,” China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesman He Yadong stated at a press conference on April 24. He argued that ending the trade war means America must “abandon all unilateral actions against China,” including last month’s 145% tariffs.
It is a view in line with Beijing’s more general diplomatic approach of “peaceful development,” avoiding zero-sum rivalries to talk and yield. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun restated it, saying China still wishes to negotiate but on conditions of reciprocity and equality only. Experts view this rigidity as a deliberate choice not to validate Trump’s pressure tactics. “China doesn’t believe in his words on cutting tariffs. He keeps reversing his position, so he can’t be trusted,” Wang Yiwei, foreign policy expert at Renmin University, said.
Trump’s tariff rollback signals
President Trump has recently softened his rhetoric, hinting at reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to “between 50% and 65%” pending negotiations. During an April 23 press conference, he asserted that tariffs would “come down substantially” and expressed optimism about coexistence with China: “We’ll see what unfolds, but ultimately, they must reach an agreement”.
This change comes amid increasing pressure at home, such as from U.S. retailers and Wall Street analysts that extended tariffs could lead to a recession. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called the current trade war “unsustainable,” calling for rebalanced, not decoupled, economic ties. Chinese leaders, however, downplay these advances as insincere. He who tied the bell must untie it,” He Yadong insisted, drawing on a Chinese proverb that only the U.S. can extricate itself from the crisis.
Diplomatic strategy and public opinion
The Chinese diplomatic script values self-confidence and restraint. President Xi Jinping’s recent Southeast Asian tour issued forth measures to deepen regional ties and present China as a force for stability amid global uncertainty. At home, state media issued forth reports of resolve, characterizing the trade war as an examination of China’s capacity for resistance to foreign pressure.
Popular opinion echoes this faith. On China’s Twitter-like Weibo platform, the topic “Trump chickened out” went viral, garnering more than 150 million views and prompting ridicule over the U.S. president’s seeming reversal. “If the so-called mutual reciprocal tariffs are not even revoked—do not waste your efforts negotiating!” read one posting. Such postings reflect how nationalist fervor and suspicions about U.S. intentions underlie domestic interpretation of the clash.
Economic resilience and strategic patience
Beijing’s insistence on not negotiating under existing circumstances is also partially based on its evaluation of preparedness in the economic arena. In contrast to Trump’s first term, China’s economy is less reliant on American markets, with increasing domestic consumption and diversified trade alliances blunting the effect of tariffs. State-led efforts at directing exports to the home market have also minimized losses.
But there are still problems. Experts point out that extended tariffs would further worsen China’s slowdown, especially in manufacturing industries. An expert on Chinese foreign policy, who requested anonymity, cautioned that extended 145% tariffs would result in “substantial job losses” and social unrest. But officials seem to be willing to suffer short-term pain for long-term gains. “Instead of rushing to accept proposals to negotiate, it would be sensible to suffer some confrontation first,” said Wu Xin, a scholar based in Shanghai.
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