China says there are no negotiations with the Trump administration over tariffs

China on Thursday denied U.S. President Donald Trump's assertion that the two sides were involved in active negotiations over tariffs, and said the U.S. should revoke its unilateral tariffs against the nation. 

China's pushback on tariffs, with U.S. import duties now standing as high as 145% on China-made products, comes after Mr. Trump said Tuesday that the final tariff rate on China's goods would come down "substantially." But Beijing on Thursday said that any suggestion of progress in this matter was as groundless as "trying to catch the wind."

The trade war between China and the U.S. has escalated during the past few weeks, with each nation hiking its import duties multiple times in a tit-for-tat. But the Trump administration this week has provided some signs that they are interested in a trade pact, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday saying the Trump administration has an "opportunity for a big deal" on trade between the U.S. and China.