‘The door is wide open’: China hints at willingness for trade talks while Trump hinted at tariff relief

China on Wednesday signaled a renewed willingness to engage in trade negotiations with the United States, declaring that “the door for talks is wide open” amid ongoing tariff tensions.
The statement follows recent comments by US President Donald Trump, who hinted that the sweeping tariffs on Chinese imports—some as high as 145 percent—could be significantly reduced once a trade agreement is in place. The tariffs, introduced during Trump’s second term, have escalated a long-running trade war between the two global powers.
Speaking at a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing’s preference for dialogue over confrontation. “We do not wish to fight, nor are we afraid of fighting,” he said. “If necessary, we will fight to the end. But the door for talks is wide open.”
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Guo also issued a subtle warning to Washington, cautioning that expressing an interest in negotiation while simultaneously exerting maximum pressure would be counterproductive. “One cannot seek cooperation while resorting to coercion,” he noted.
The remarks come as markets remain on edge amid fears that continued economic hostilities between the U.S. and China could deepen global financial instability. Despite this, Beijing’s message appears to underscore a strategic openness to de-escalation—on its own terms.