A: Since the new U.S. administration took office, it has implemented a series of non-compliant and unreasonable unilateral tariff measures. These measures have severely disrupted the economic and trade relations between China and the U.S., seriously disturbed the international economic and trade order, and posed a serious challenge to global economic recovery and growth. To defend its legitimate rights and interests, China has taken firm and effective countermeasures. Recently, senior U.S. officials have been signaling adjustments to tariff measures and have proactively conveyed messages to the Chinese side through various channels, expressing their wishes to have talks with the Chinese side on tariffs and other issues. The Chinese side has carefully assessed these messages from the U.S. side. Taking into account the global expectations, China's interests, and the calls from the U.S. business community and consumers, the Chinese side has decided to agree to engage with the U.S. side. Vice Premier He Lifeng, as the Chinese lead person for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, will have a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent during his visit to Switzerland.

The Chinese side has remained consistent in its position. Whether through confrontation or dialogue, China's determination to safeguard its development interests will not change, nor will its stance and goal of upholding international fairness and justice and maintaining the international economic and trade order. If the U.S. wants to fight, China will fight to the end. If the U.S. wants to talk, China’s door is open. Any dialogue or negotiation must be conducted based on mutual respect, equal consultation, and mutual benefit. There is an old saying in China, "Hear what one says and observe what one does." If the U.S. side wants to resolve issues through negotiations, it must face up to the serious negative impacts of unilateral tariff measures on itself and the world, and respect international economic and trade rules, fairness and justice, and the rational voices of all parties. It must show sincerity in talks, correct its wrong practices, and strive in the same direction as China to resolve the concerns of both sides through equal-footed consultation. If the U.S. side says one thing but does another, or even attempts to use dialogue as a pretext for continued coercion and extortion, the Chinese side will never yield. China will not sacrifice its principles and positions, or international fairness and justice to seek any agreement.

The Chinese side has noted that some economies are also negotiating with the U.S. side. It needs to be emphasized that appeasement cannot bring peace, and compromise will not earn respect. Adhering to the principles and upholding fairness and justice is the right way to safeguard one’s interests. No matter how the international situation changes, the Chinese side will continue to open up as always, firmly uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its core, and resolutely share development opportunities with other countries around the world. The Chinese side is willing to work with all parties concerned to continuously deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen communication and coordination, jointly resist unilateralism, protectionism, hegemony and bullying, collectively maintain free trade and multilateralism, and promote an inclusive economic globalization that benefits all.