United States officials claimed to have initiated contact with their Chinese counterparts to discuss steep tariffs that have disrupted global markets and supply chains, according to reports on Thursday.

Since April, the US has imposed punitive tariffs of up to 145% on a wide range of Chinese products. In response, Beijing introduced new tariffs reaching 125% on goods imported from the United States. These measures have intensified the ongoing trade war and caused ripples across international manufacturing sectors.

China now faces US tariffs of up to 245%, mostly targeting electric vehicles (EVs) and syringes, according to The Wall Street Journal, adding that the figure reflects layered tariffs: Trump’s original 25% on EVs was raised to 100% by Biden, who also applied the same rate to syringes. Trump then added another 145%, bringing the total to 245% on these key exports from Beijing.

Beijing rejects claims of ongoing talks despite US assertions

Beijing has strongly rejected claims that any talks are taking place, but remained open to talks with the United States to engage in dialogue in a "fair, respectful and reciprocal" manner.

On Thursday, Yuyuan Tantian, a Chinese platform affiliated with state broadcaster CCTV, reported that Washington is "proactively" engaging with Beijing through "multiple channels" to initiate dialogue on tariffs.

"From a negotiation standpoint, the US is currently the more anxious party," the outlet stated on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. "The Trump administration is facing multiple pressures," it added.

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This week, a video shared by China’s Foreign Ministry vowed to "never kneel down", underscoring Beijing's firm stance on resisting what it views as unfair economic aggression from the United States.

Finally we have a President that will stand up to China’s unfair trade practices. @POTUS is dealing with something that should have been dealt with a long time ago. pic.twitter.com/bqtcU7pW4r

— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 27, 2025

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed that Beijing reached out to begin tariff talks, similar to his past repeated assertions of "direct" negotiations with Iran, which Tehran has consistently said were "indirect".

During a NewsNation town hall on Wednesday, Trump said there was a "very good chance we're going to make a deal, ... But we're going to make it on our terms, and it's got to be fair."

Global supply chains strain under tariff war

As the trade war deepens, both the US manufacturing and innovation sectors, as well as financial markets, are bracing for prolonged instability and growth lag, as supply chains have been significantly disrupted. The standoff has not only heightened uncertainty for multinational businesses but also fueled inflationary pressures in key global markets.

According to Bloomberg, Cargo shipments from China to the US have plummeted by as much as 60% since the tariff increase in early April, leading to widespread disruptions in the manufacturing and logistics sectors. Industries heavily reliant on cross-border manufacturing, such as automotive and electronics, have reported increased production costs and delays.

Companies like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis have withdrawn their financial guidance for the year, citing the unpredictable impact of the tariffs on their operations.

Ferrari, the Italian luxury sports car manufacturer, announced last month that it would increase prices by 10% following the United States’ decision to impose a 25% tariff on all car imports starting April 2.

According to Business Insider, consumer goods retailers, including Shein and Target, have announced price hikes to offset the increased import costs, further fueling inflationary pressures and creating uncertainty in long-term planning.