China Accuses US of ‘Flip-Flopping’ in Trade Talks, Says It’s ‘Last Thing We Need’

Though allegations that China’s “retreat” from previous commitments in the trade talks were the Trump administration’s grounds for hiking the List 3 Section 301 tariffs to 25 percent (see 1905080023) and proposing a fourth tranche of duties on remaining Chinese imports not previously dutied (see 1905140025), it was the U.S. side that actually reneged, suggested a Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Thursday. “It takes sincerity to make a consultation meaningful,” said the spokesperson. “Judging from what the U.S. did in previous talks, there are two things we have to make clear,” he said. “First, we need to follow the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit. Second, words must be matched with deeds. Flip-flopping is the last thing we need.” During the various rounds of trade negotiations, the U.S. “repeatedly rejected rules in consultations and brought difficulties to the talks, while China, on the other hand, has been acting in a constructive spirit all along,” he said. “The international community bears witness to all this.” The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative didn’t comment Thursday.