China: US should correct ‘wrong actions’ before trade talks resume

A Chinese official reportedly said on Thursday that the U.S. needs to correct its “wrong actions” in order for trade talks to resume.

“If the United States wants to continue trade talks, they should show sincerity and correct their wrong actions. Negotiations can only continue on the basis of equality and mutual respect,” Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said during a weekly briefing, Reuters reported. 

{mosads}“We will closely monitor relevant developments and prepare necessary responses,” he added, but did not elaborate. 

After talks with Beijing broke down earlier this month, the Trump administration raised tariffs from 10 to 25 percent on $200 billion of imports from China.

China responded by targeting $60 billion worth of U.S. agricultural exports, and Trump has threatened another round of tariffs.

U.S. officials have also accused Chinese tech giant Huawei of working for the government in Beijing, which the telecommunications firm has denied, and placed it on a trade blacklist. The Trump administration this week did permit the company to purchase U.S. goods until Aug. 19, according to Reuters. 

Reuters reported that other international firms, including the Japanese Panasonic Corp. and the British chip designer ARM, whose blueprint Huawei uses to make cell phones, are disengaging from trade relations with the Chinese firm. 

Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said that U.S. action on Huawei made future trade talks more difficult, according to Reuters.  

“Relevant U.S. actions obviously do not create a good atmosphere or environment for consultations,” he said.