China Calls for Dialogue as Trade Tensions with US Escalate

China on Thursday called for “dialogue” with Washington to ease spiraling trade tensions that have witnessed the world’s two largest economies introduce a chain of tariffs on each other’s products.

“China has always advocated that China and the United States should adopt a positive and cooperative attitude towards differences and controversies in economic and trade fields,” commerce ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian told a weekly news conference.

“But it must be stressed that any form of communication and consultation must be based on mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit,” she said.

“Threats and intimidation can only be counterproductive. It is hoped that the United States and China will work together… to return to the correct track of resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.”

US President Donald Trump has since his January return to office imposed tariffs on major trading partners such as China, Canada, and Mexico, in reference to their failure to stop the importation of the deadly fentanyl and related precursor chemicals.

This month, Trump raised his previous 10-percent across-the-board tariff on Chinese products to 20%.

Beijing retaliated with up to 15% tariffs on a variety of US farm products, including soybeans, pork, and chickens.

China, the world’s largest steel producer, pledged Wednesday to take “all necessary measures” to protect its interests against further new US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.