China said Tuesday it hoped to cooperate with the United States to resolve trade issues, as President Donald Trump began his second term after threatening to impose biting tariffs on the Asian giant.
A newspaper featuring an image of Donald Trump arriving at the White House ahead of his inauguration as US President is seen at a news stand in Beijing on January 21, 2025. Photo: Greg Baker/AFP.
Beijing is “willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with the United States, properly manage differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation,” foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said in response to a question about potential new levies under Trump.
“It is hoped that the United States will work with China to jointly promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations,” Guo said at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
He acknowledged “differences and frictions” between Beijing and Washington but said “the common interests and space for cooperation between the two countries are huge”.
“The two sides can strengthen dialogue and consultation in this regard,” he added.
China and the US are the world’s two largest economies but have had a tumultuous trade relationship in recent years.
Donald Trump is sworn in as the 47th US president in Washington DC, on January 20, 2025. Photo: Republican National Committee, via Facebook.
Trump imposed tariffs on imports from China during his first term, citing alleged unfair practices by Beijing.
His successor Joe Biden kept up the pressure with sweeping rules aimed at restricting Chinese access to high-tech chips.
And Trump threatened to go even further during his election campaign, vowing even higher tariffs if he won another term in office.
China’s economy remains heavily reliant on exports to drive growth despite official efforts to raise domestic consumption.
TikTok resumes service in the United States on January 19, 2025. Photo: HKFP Screenshot.
Asked about the future of the Chinese-owned app TikTok — which has secured a 75-day grace period but may yet be effectively banned from operating in the United States — Guo said Beijing hoped Washington would provide a fair business environment for Chinese firms.
He also hit back at Trump’s order to reinstate Cuba on a list of state sponsors of terrorism, days after Biden removed the island nation from the register.
China and Cuba are longtime socialist allies, and Beijing has consistently opposed Washington’s decades-long economic blockade of Havana.
Guo said Cuba’s re-addition to the list “fully reveals the hegemonic, high-handed and bullying face of the United States”.
“Within a few days, Cuba was off the so-called list, then back on it, as if it were a trifling matter”, Guo said, adding that the move cast doubt on Washington’s “credibility”.
