China says it hopes to 'properly manage differences' with the U.S. on trade
BEIJING — China is emphasizing its willingness to negotiate as increased tariffs on exports to the United States may soon become a reality.
U.S. President Donald Trump said this week he may increase duties on Chinese goods by 10% as soon as Feb. 1. The White House on Monday also announced plans to investigate China over actions harmful to U.S. commerce.
China's Ministry of Commerce has always maintained communication with «relevant» U.S. authorities on economy and trade, ministry spokesperson He Yadong said in response on Thursday.
«The Chinese side hopes that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, both sides will… strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote the stable and healthy development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations,» He added during a weekly press conference. That's according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks.
Trump said last week that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping over the phone about TikTok and trade. The Chinese side's readout did not mention the social media app, but said Xi called for cooperation and cast the two countries' economic ties as mutually beneficial.
«Tariffs are not conducive to China or the U.S., or the entire world,» commerce spokesperson He said.
«China is willing to work with the U.S. to push bilateral economic and trade relations in a stable, healthy and sustainable direction,» He said, noting that was on the basis of «mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.»
The comments echoed those of China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday.
«We stand ready to maintain communication with the U.S., properly handle differences,
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