Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli PM's office: PM informed Trump he would not attend Sharm el-Sheikh Summit on account of Jewish holidays.
Israeli media: Netanyahu makes last-minute decision to cancel trip to Sharm el-Sheikh.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Large crowds gather in Khan Younis to welcome the liberated Palestinian detainees, waving flags of Hamas and Islamic Jihad in celebration
Buses of released prisoners arrive in Ramallah
Israeli media: Netanyahu gifts Trump a "Golden Dove".
Israeli media: Netanyahu will take part in Sharm el-Sheikh Summit.
Trump's Air Force One lands in Tel Aviv
Al-Qassam: To our free prisoners: Gaza, its Resistance, have given their most precious possessions, have striven with all their might to break your chains; we pledge that your cause will remain at the top of our national priorities until you are all freed.
Al-Qassam Brigades: Instead its army killed dozens of them as a result of its failed policy of military pressure.
Al-Qassam Brigades: Nazi occupation could have recovered most of its captives alive many months ago, but it kept stalling and acting arrogantly.

Bessent contradicts Trump as China trade talks remain absent

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 6 May 2025 19:33
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has also rejected Trump's version of events, stating that the two countries have not engaged in any consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen arrives to testify before the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, oversight hearing of the US Department of the Treasury on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday contradicted President Donald Trump's repeated claims that trade negotiations with China are underway, telling lawmakers that no such discussions have begun.

"We have not engaged in negotiations with [China] as of yet," Bessent said during testimony before the House Appropriations Committee.

Although the Trump administration is allegedly actively pursuing trade agreements with 17 of its 18 largest trading partners, Bessent confirmed that China is not among them. He expressed confidence that most of those deals could be concluded by the end of the year. His comments directly undercut President Trump's public statements asserting progress with Beijing, including his claim that Chinese President Xi Jinping had personally reached out to initiate talks.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has also rejected Trump's version of events, stating that the two countries have not engaged in any consultations or negotiations regarding tariffs. China's Commerce Ministry noted that any future engagement would require the US to first scale back its tariff measures, which currently stand at 145% on Chinese imports.

Tariff resilience

Related News

Wall Street in trouble as Trump escalates tariff war with China

Von der Leyen faces no-confidence vote for 'surrendering Europe' to US

Despite the absence of formal dialogue, new figures from the Chinese Ministry of Transport show that trade flows remain surprisingly strong. In the week ending April 27, Chinese ports handled 6.7 million containers, a 7% increase from the same period last year. Air cargo volumes also rose by 30%, with much of the surge attributed to accelerated shipments from e-commerce platforms like Temu and Shein.

These companies took advantage of the now-closed "de minimis" loophole, which had allowed small-value parcels under $800 to enter the US duty-free. The exemption was revoked by the Trump administration on May 2 as part of a broader effort to close regulatory gaps and curb what it calls unfair trade practices.

Read more: Yuan surges past 7.2 as hopes grow for US-China trade talks

Still, the impact of heightened tariffs is beginning to show. Ship tracking data compiled by Bloomberg revealed a sharp drop in the number of cargo ships leaving Chinese ports for the US, down from 73 in early April to 47 later in the month. Companies like Mattel have already responded by announcing price hikes for US consumers, citing rising costs from the new duties.

Trade uncertainty

Economists forecast that China's official April export data, due later this week, will show modest growth of around 2.5% year-on-year, a slowdown from the 12% jump recorded in March but still indicative of short-term resilience. Analysts warn, however, that prolonged tariff escalation could dampen export momentum in the second half of 2025.

The disconnect between Trump's rhetoric and statements from both his own Treasury Secretary and Chinese officials underscores deep uncertainty surrounding the administration's trade policy. While both sides express openness to eventual talks, no formal negotiations have taken place, and the economic and diplomatic fallout is already taking shape.

Read more: US should stop threatening China if it truly seeks dialogue: Diplomat

  • US tariffs
  • United States
  • Scott Bessent
  • Trump administration
  • China
  • Trade Talks
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
Taylor Swift: The Life of a Showgirl

The Life of a No-Girl: The one verse Taylor Swift refuses to sing

  • Arts and Culture
  • 8 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
Ceasefire in Gaza takes effect amid conflicting signals and bombings

Gaza ceasefire takes effect; 'Israel' resumes bombing, timing disputed

  • Politics
  • 9 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta
Palestine

'Israel' used fake 3D tunnel footage to justify Gaza genocide: LaSexta

drop site
Politics

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

ap
Politics

SDF, Damascus reach preliminary deal to integrate forces

Palestinians search through the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, on October 12, 2025. (AFP)
Politics

Gaza families return to ruins, searching for their loved ones

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS