China demands US tariff removal ahead of trade talks... "Wrong practices must be corrected"

Ahead of the high-level US-China trade talks scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland on the 10th and 11th, China demanded the withdrawal of high tariffs from the US, stating through state media on the 8th that "wrong practices must be corrected."

On this day, the People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, stated in its 'Bell' commentary, which expresses positions on major issues, that "China is keeping the door to dialogue wide open, but it must proceed in an equal manner based on mutual respect."

The People's Daily added, "If the US truly wants to resolve issues through dialogue and negotiation, it must start professional and practical exchanges and dialogues with China in the spirit of 'words must be trustworthy and actions decisive.'"

It further pointed out, "The US must face the serious negative impacts that unilateral tariff measures have brought to itself and the world, and demonstrate sincerity in dialogue to correct wrong practices."

The People's Daily stated, "If words and actions differ or if coercion and threats are imposed under the guise of dialogue, China will never agree, and no agreement sacrificing principled positions or international fairness and justice will be made."

Additionally, the People's Daily argued, "The US's excessive use of tariffs and extreme pressure on China is clearly a miscalculation," asserting that "China has strong confidence to fight to the end."

The Global Times, China's state-run English newspaper, stated in an editorial, "In contrast to the US, China has maintained a responsible position regarding bilateral relations and the world," adding, "This decision (to start negotiations with the US) was made after carefully evaluating the US's message and fully considering the world's expectations, China's national interests, and the demands of the US industry and consumers."

Currently, US-China trade is virtually severed. Last month, when the US imposed additional tariffs of up to 145% on a significant number of Chinese products, China also imposed additional tariffs of 125% on US products.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, known as the 'Chinese payment powerhouse,' plan to meet in Geneva on the 10th and 11th to discuss trade issues between the two countries, including tariffs.

Yonghyun Shin, Hankyung.com reporter yonghyun@hankyung.com