China: ‘Mutual respect’ basis of US trade talks
Credit to Author: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE| Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:21:30 +0000
BEIJING: China said on Monday that any US trade talks must be based on “mutual respect” and equality after President Donald Trump said there was a good chance of clinching a deal.
“We always believe that any differences between any two countries should, of course, be resolved through friendly negotiations and consultations,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a regular press briefing.
Trump said on Monday there was a “very good” chance of clinching a trade deal with China as the world’s top two economies clash over their trade relationship.
“I think sometime in the future, China and the US will have a great trade deal and we look forward to that,” Trump said after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.
His remarks came just two weeks after trade tensions reignited when Trump more than doubled tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese merchandise — sparking retaliation from Beijing — and threatened further levies that could affect nearly all of China’s remaining exports to America.
They also came after the Trump administration blacklisted Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. over worries that China uses it as a tool for espionage.
The smartphone maker has repeatedly denied it works with the country’s Communist-led government.
“We have seen different statements being made about the Sino-US economic and trade consultations by (different entities) including high-level people in the US,” Lu said.
“Sometimes it is said that an agreement will be reached soon, and sometimes it is said it’s difficult to reach an agreement,” he said.
The spokesman said that China’s position has “remained consistent.”
“We have also always insisted on consultations between China and the United States, including economic and trade consultations, which must be based on mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.”
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