Trump says he's talked with Xi about tariffs. China has denied talks are taking place

Washington — President Trump said he's spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid tariff tensions with China, as China denies any talks are taking place between Beijing and Washington. 

In an interview with Time magazine published Friday, Mr. Trump said Xi has called him, although the president didn't reveal when the two spoke or what Xi said. The U.S. has imposed tariff rates as high as 145% on imports from China, and China has retaliated with 125% tariffs on U.S. imports.

"At present, there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S.," Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong told reporters Thursday in Mandarin, as translated by CNBC.