Adding tariffs can't resolve any problem, says China on trade conflict with US

Additional tariffs will not resolve any problems in the ongoing bilateral trade dispute between China and the United States, China's foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said on Tuesday.

Earlier, China's commerce ministry said that vice premier Liu He will go ahead with a visit to the United States this week, after efforts to reach a deal to end a trade war were thrown into doubt by US President Donald Trump's vow to impose new tariffs.

"Adding tariffs can't resolve any problem. What I need to make clear is that talks are by their nature a process of discussion. It's normal for both sides to have differences. China won't shun problems and is sincere about continuing talks," China's foreign ministry spokesman said.

US officials have said China has backtracked on substantial commitments it made during months of negotiations. Those concerns prompted Trump to say on Sunday that he would raise tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods to 25 per cent from 10 per cent by the end of the week, and would "soon" target remaining Chinese imports with tariffs.

The swift deterioration in negotiations between the world`s two largest economies hit global financial markets as investors faced the prospect of an escalation rather than an end to a 10-month-old trade war.

The president's tweets abruptly ended a five-month ceasefire in a trade dispute that has cost the two countries billions of dollars and disrupted manufacturing supply chains.

Geng, speaking at a daily press briefing, said China hopes that the United States will work with China to resolve each other's concerns.