Team Neemopani
In a move that could signal a turning point in the ongoing trade standoff, China has said it’s “evaluating” a recent proposal from the United States to restart trade negotiations. The announcement comes amid rising pressure on both sides, and could potentially ease one of the most heated economic conflicts in recent years.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, U.S. officials have made several overtures through various channels, hoping to revive discussions. “We’re currently assessing the U.S. request,” a spokesperson confirmed on Friday, hinting at a possible thaw in what has otherwise been a frosty standoff.
This marks a slight, but notable, shift in tone from Beijing. Until now, Chinese officials had largely dismissed talk of negotiations, especially following a steep hike in tariffs by the Trump administration earlier this month.
For context, the U.S. recently raised tariffs on Chinese goods to an eye-watering 145%, effectively squeezing out many Chinese exporters. In response, Beijing fired back with 125% tariffs on American imports. The economic fallout is already being felt, particularly in China’s manufacturing sector, where factories have slowed production or halted operations altogether.
Despite the tit-for-tat, China has signaled it’s open to dialogue — but not without conditions. “The U.S. started this trade war. If they want to fix it, they need to show real sincerity,” the ministry stated. That sincerity, according to China, begins with reversing the tariff hikes.
Interestingly, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News on Thursday that China is now showing interest in resuming talks, largely due to mounting economic pressures. “They’re reaching out. They want to talk,” Rubio said, predicting that negotiations may be back on the table soon.
Economic indicators support that assessment. Just this week, China reported its fastest factory activity slowdown in over a year, suggesting the strain of the trade war is starting to bite. Meanwhile, big American retailers like Walmart and Target are slowly resuming partnerships with Chinese suppliers, but the damage may already be done.
Analysts from JP Morgan forecast that imports from China to the U.S. could fall by as much as 80% in the second half of 2025. The National Retail Federation is also predicting an overall 20% drop in U.S. imports compared to last year.
Still, neither side wants to be seen as blinking first. While President Trump has hinted that tariffs might “come down substantially” if talks resume, Chinese officials have remained cautious. Earlier this week, China’s foreign ministry released a strongly worded video on social media, declaring the country would not “kneel to bullying.”
So what’s next?
For now, it seems both nations are locked in a tense waiting game. The willingness to talk is there — but so are the demands, red lines, and political stakes. Whether this leads to real progress or more posturing remains to be seen.
