CHINA’S Commerce Ministry said today that Beijing is evaluating multiple approaches by the Trump administration for trade talks, but steep tariffs imposed by Washington must go.

A ministry statement reiterated China’s stance that it is open to talks, but also that Beijing is determined to fight if it must. It said one-sided tariffs of up to 145 per cent remain an obstacle, undermining trust.

”The tariff and trade wars were unilaterally initiated by the US,” it said.

”If the US side wants to talk, it should show its sincerity, and be ready to take action on issues such as correcting wrong practices and canceling the unilateral imposition of tariffs.”

A ministry spokesperson was cited as saying that Beijing had taken note of various statements by senior US officials indicating a willingness to negotiate over tariffs.

But the ministry emphasised that China would regard overtures without a change in US President Donald Trump’s sharp tariff hikes as insincere.

”Saying one thing but doing another, or even attempting to engage in coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks, will not work on the Chinese side,” it said.