China has signaled a potential willingness to engage in talks with the United States to ease the steep tariffs imposed during the ongoing trade conflict. According to statements from China’s Ministry of Commerce and reports linked to Chinese state media, China is “evaluating” proposals from the U.S. to initiate dialogue on the tariffs, which include President Donald Trump’s sweeping 145% tariff on Chinese exports236.
While China maintains a firm stance that it will “fight to the end” if necessary, it has left the door open for negotiations, provided the U.S. shows sincerity by correcting its “erroneous practices” and withdrawing the additional tariffs it has imposed unilaterally23. This approach allows China to save face domestically by asserting strength while signaling a readiness to consider a diplomatic off-ramp to the trade war9.
The U.S. has reportedly reached out through multiple channels to seek discussions, and although Beijing publicly condemns the tariffs as economic bullying, it has quietly taken steps such as exempting key U.S. goods like microchips and jet engines from its retaliatory tariffs7. The situation remains delicate, with both sides wary of appearing weak, but the recent signals suggest a possible thaw in trade tensions if negotiations proceed on terms of equality and mutual respect236.
In summary, China is hinting at a tariff off-ramp with the U.S. by showing openness to talks while demanding that the U.S. demonstrate genuine intent by rolling back tariffs, reflecting a strategic posture aimed at balancing domestic and international pressures amid a costly trade standoff
