China’s Foreign Ministry Won’t Say If US Trade Talks Are Off the Table For Now

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson sidestepped questions at a Beijing news conference Friday about media reports suggesting new U.S.-China trade talks were off the table for now. Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping “have maintained contact through various means,” said the spokesperson. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative didn’t comment Friday. The U.S. and China “intend to continue further discussions,” said a USTR notice Friday in the Federal Register officially proposing the 25 percent Section 301 tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese goods not previously dutied (see 1905140025). Requests to appear at public hearings on the proposed List 4 tariffs are due June 10 in docket USTR–2019–0004 at regulations.gov, and written comments are due June 17, the same day the hearings are set to begin. Post-hearing rebuttal comments are due seven days after the hearings end.