https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/fyrbt/lxjzh/202504/t20250424_11603586.html
Phoenix TV: We’ve been hearing the U.S. say that China and the U.S. are having talks and even about to reach a deal. Can you confirm whether the two sides are in talks?
Guo Jiakun: None of that is true. For all I know, China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, still less reaching a deal.
This tariff war is launched by the U.S. China’s position is consistent and clear: We will fight, if fight we must. Our doors are open, if the U.S. wants to talk. Dialogue and negotiation must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.
NHK: I also have a question about tariffs. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration may reduce tariffs on Chinese imports in some cases by more than half. Additionally, President Trump said it depends on China how soon the tariffs can come down. What is your reaction to this news and statement?
Guo Jiakun: I just made clear China’s position. Let me stress again that this tariff war is launched by the U.S., and China’s attitude is consistent and clear. If a negotiated solution is truly what the U.S. wants, it should stop exerting extreme pressure, stop threatening and blackmailing China, and seek dialogue based on equality, respect and mutual benefit.
AFP: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that Beijing’s export reliant economic model is unsustainable and harms both China and the rest of the world. What is the Foreign Ministry’s comment on this?
Guo Jiakun: The truth, which is clear to all, is that the U.S. tariffs are seriously undermining the WTO rules and harming the common interests of all countries.
Reactionaries only respect the in-group, and only for ex post facto reasons. An opponent showing resilience and otherwise strength isn't something they react positively to.
But this way it will expose their hypocrisy! That'll get them for sure, right?
Respect, I think, in the way they'd "respect" someone pointing a gun at them: they would be forced to acknowledge that that person has the capacity to fuck up their day
Yeah. The difference between the genteel Republicans of my grandfather's generation and those today is that Democrats refuse to express power to oppose conservatives today.
The Republicans weren't kinder, they were just forced to negotiate with their opponents out of necessity, and as a result, followed the norms and decorums that Democrats lament the loss of today.
Trump is trying to treat China like he treats Democrats or poor people. Eventually he will either be forced to realize that China's ability to punch back means he has to respect them, or China's punch is going to knock him out cold.