China’s US ambassador Cui Tiankai says Beijing confused over who speaks for Trump on trade
In a rare TV appearance, ambassador vows Beijing will defend its own interests and says China must respond to a trade war ‘we never wanted’
China’s ambassador to the US said Beijing has no choice but to respond to what he described as a trade war started by the US.
“We never wanted a trade war, but if somebody started a trade war against us, we have to respond and defend our own interests,” Ambassador Cui Tiankai said on Fox News Sunday in a rare US television appearance.
His comments come amid high political and economic tensions between the world’s two largest economies, with officials from both nations having traded ever-harsher barbs in recent weeks.
Cui confirmed reports that China has grown frustrated in trade talks because of conflicting signals from the Trump administration. Cui said other ambassadors in Washington shared his frustration.
“They don’t know who was the final decision-maker” in the administration, he said. “Of course, presumably the president would take the final decision. But who is playing what role? It can be very confusing.”