China says "door to talks is open" after Trump pauses higher tariffs on other countries

A spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing hoped the U.S. would work to de-escalate the trade war between the world's two largest economies after President Trump announced a pause on higher tariffs he had imposed on many other countries.

"China's position is clear and consistent: the door to talks is open, but dialogue must be conducted on an equal basis with mutual respect," Commerce Ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian said. "China will stand by its position until the end. Pressuring, threatening, and blackmailing are not the correct ways to deal with China. We hope that the U.S. will work with China. Based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and a win-win cooperation, we will properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation."

Mr. Trump announced a pause on the planned implementation of higher tariffs for almost all nations late Wednesday, leaving a 10% universal tariff in place, but said he was raising tariffs on China from 104% to 125%. The heightened levies took effect Thursday, at the same time as Beijing's retaliatory tariffs of 84% took effect on U.S. imports to China.