The Chinese Foreign Ministry has appeared to dismiss President Donald Trump's claim that direct trade negotiations are ongoing between Washington D.C. and Beijing.
Asked about reports of talks, ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said: "China and the U.S. are not having consultations or negotiations on tariffs."
Newsweek contacted the State Department outside of regular office hours and the Chinese Foreign Office for comment on Thursday by email.
On Wednesday, the International Monetary Fund predicted a "significant slowdown" in the U.S. economy with 2025 growth reduced from 2.7 percent in January to 1.8 percent, which it attributed in part to tariffs, which were first imposed by Trump and countered by Beijing with levies of its own.
A win, such as successful trade negotiations with China, would help Trump argue this projected slowdown has been justified.
Trump was asked by reporters on Wednesday whether there had been "any direct contact between the U.S. and China on trade." The president replied: "Yeh, of course. Every day."
This was denied by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo during a press conference on Thursday.
"None of that is true. As I have learned, China and the U.S. are not having consultations or negotiations on tariffs, still less reaching a deal," he said, according to The Associated Press.
"This tariff war is launched by the U.S. China's position is consistent and clear. We will fight a fight if we must. Our doors are...
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