Chinese negotiators still eye US trip

Beijing - China said yesterday it still plans to send negotiators to the United States for trade talks even after president Donald Trump vowed to raise tariffs later this week, a threat that sent stock markets into a tailspin.

Trump upped the ante as negotiators prepared to meet in Washington tomorrow for what has been billed as a last-ditch round of negotiations to reach a deal or revive the trade war.

"The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!" Trump wrote on Twitter on Sunday.

He picked up the issue again yesterday, tweeting: "With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we're not going to be doing that anymore!"

Despite Trump's tweetstorm, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said a Chinese team was "currently preparing to go to the US for negotiations" - but he did not say when or whether top negotiator Liu He would lead the delegation.

'Positive progress'

Geng said "positive progress" has been made in 10 rounds of high-level negotiations and that the whole world was watching.

"We still hope that the US can work together with China, walk shoulder to shoulder and strive for a mutually beneficial win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect," he said at a regular press briefing.

"This is not only in line with the interests of the Chinese side but also the interests of the US and the international community."

The two sides have imposed tariffs on US$360 billion in two-way trade since last year. But Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to a truce in December to refrain from further escalation.

The US side visited Beijing last week for talks that treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin described as "productive". - Nampa/AFP