Trading Blows, Not Words: China Denies U.S. Claims of Tariff Talks Amid Deepening Tensions

China has flatly denied any ongoing negotiations with the United States to resolve their escalating tariff dispute, despite recent assertions from former President Donald Trump and his aides. At a Monday press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun firmly rejected the notion that dialogue was taking place, stressing that no talks or consultations were currently underway between the two countries regarding tariffs.

Guo also discredited Trump’s earlier claim that Chinese President Xi Jinping had reached out to him directly. He clarified that there had been no recent contact between the two leaders, a statement that further emphasized Beijing’s hardline stance against the Trump administration’s 145% tariffs on Chinese goods. These remarks cast doubt on the credibility of U.S. claims and revealed a widening rift between the two superpowers.

While Trump’s team insists the U.S. can endure and outlast China in a prolonged trade war, economists and business leaders are warning of severe domestic fallout. Analysts forecast price surges, empty store shelves, and even closures of some retail outlets due to supply chain disruptions. These outcomes could place added pressure on American consumers and small businesses already feeling the pinch.

Interestingly, some within Trump’s administration continue to suggest that backchannel discussions are underway. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins claimed that daily conversations with China were ongoing, arguing that the economic burden on Beijing would eventually force them to return to the negotiating table. However, these statements directly contradict repeated denials from Chinese officials, revealing a gap between political messaging and diplomatic reality.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attempted to downplay concerns over the trade impasse by suggesting that China’s public rejections were intended for domestic political purposes. He asserted that a negotiation process was in motion and hinted at a possible resolution "very soon." Nonetheless, he acknowledged that the tariffs were economically unsustainable in the long run, both for American retailers and the broader global market.

China’s Ministry of Commerce, however, remained unwavering. Officials reiterated that any progress would require the U.S. to lift its unilateral tariffs first. Despite vague and often contradictory statements from Trump about alleged meetings with Chinese representatives, no concrete details have emerged, leaving investors, businesses, and the international community questioning whether meaningful trade negotiations are actually on the horizon—or merely political theater.