Show sincerity or cancel trade talks, Chinese state media tells US

Washington ‘keeps using petty tricks to destroy the atmosphere for talks’, commentary says

Doubt cast on US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s claim that he would return to Beijing to resume negotiations

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Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He visits Washington for talks with the US’ Steven Mnuchin (centre) and Robert Lighthizer last week despite fresh US tariff increases. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 12:06pm, 17 May 2019Updated: 11:29pm, 17 May 2019

China is prepared to suspend trade talks with the United States if Washington continues its tough action against Beijing, according to Chinese state media.

A commentary published by Taoran Notes, a social media account affiliated with Economic Daily, said China would not give an “effective response” to the US if Washington did not show sincerity in resolving the two countries’ trade disputes.

“If there is no real concrete action by the United States, it will be meaningless for you to come and talk,” it said, referring to US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s announcement on Wednesday that he would go to Beijing to continue talks.

“It is better to suspend the consultation completely and return to the normal working track.”

The commentary said China had shown its sincerity to resolve the trade deadlock by sending Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He to Washington for negotiations even after US President Donald Trump had decided to raise tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese imports from 10 per cent to 25 per cent.