On Thursday, China urged the United States to lift all “unilateral tariff measures” as Beijing denied reports of ongoing trade talks, despite Washington’s repeated claims of engagement.

Speaking at a regular press conference, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said the US must remove tariffs if it is serious about resolving trade tensions. “The person who tied the bell must untie it,” He remarked, reiterating Beijing’s longstanding position that the duties are unjustified.

The statement follows reports suggesting the Trump administration may consider scaling back tariffs on Chinese imports. According to Reuters, US officials are contemplating reducing current tariff rates from 145 percent to 50 to 65 percent, contingent upon progress in talks.

However, Chinese authorities denied that any such discussions were taking place.

“China and the United States have not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, dismissing reports of dialogue as “false news”.

Since 2018, the US has imposed tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, citing trade imbalances and alleged unfair practices. President Donald Trump has described the measures as “reciprocal” and essential to correcting economic disparities.

Meanwhile, China hosted a roundtable with over 80 foreign firms and chambers on Wednesday to address concerns about the tariffs’ impact on investment. Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji encouraged businesses to adapt and seek new opportunities amid the disruption.

At the G20 meeting in Washington, DC, People’s Bank of China Governor Pan Gongsheng reaffirmed China’s support for free trade and multilateralism.