China says 'door is open' for trade talks with US

On the same day the Trump administration closed the loophole that allowed Americans to buy

inexpensive goods from China and Hong Kong without having to pay tariffs

China issued a statement in the ongoing trade war with the U.S

The communist country delivered mixed messages. CNBC posted the statement from China's commerce ministry

It claims U.S. officials have tried to contact China, quote, through relevant parties multiple times to begin negotiations on tariffs

President Trump has slapped a 145 percent levy on Chinese goods entering the United States

China has responded by hitting the United States with a 125 percent tariff on products that the

U.S. sends there. In addition, shipments from China for goods under $800 that were exempt from

the tariffs are no longer exempt as of Friday. The lifting of the loophole is prompting fears in

the U.S. of higher prices for consumers and delivery delays. CNN translated the Chinese statement. It reads

The tariff and trade war was unilaterally initiated by the U.S., and if it wants to

negotiate it must demonstrate genuine sincerity That includes being prepared to correct its wrongdoings and cancel its unilateral tariff hikes China position remains consistent If it a fight we see it through to the end

If it's talk, the door is open. The latest development came on the heels of U.S. Secretary

of State Marco Rubio telling Fox News that the Chinese are reaching out and that they want to

meet and talk. Rubio proclaimed that the Trump tariffs have hurt the Chinese economy, causing

job loss. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant told Fox Business Network that the current tariff levels

are not sustainable on the Chinese side and a deal could be made between the two sides

The United States and China are the world's two biggest economies. This week, President Trump

signed an executive order reducing overall tariffs on imported cars and parts after previously

undoing tariffs on various electronic products last month. For its part, according to CNBC

China has granted waivers on tariffs on imports of certain American goods

such as pharmaceuticals, aerospace equipment, semiconductors and ethane. Some experts believe when it comes to the trade war

each side is waiting for the other to blink first. For more unbiased updates, download the Straight Arrow News app