MNI: China Open To Negotiation, Without Unilateral Demands

     BEIJING (MNI) - China is open to negotiations with the U.S. regarding

recent trade conflicts, but it will not accept any negotiation based on

unilateralist demands, according to China's Ministry of Commerce. 

     Gao Feng, spokesman of the ministry, said at a press briefing on Thursday

that China only welcomes constructive negotiation.

     When asked if China would expand its retaliation list consisting of

products imported from the U.S., Gao said China would take any necessary

actions, and that any measure is possible when defending the interests of China

and its people. 

     Many predict that China will next impose higher tariffs on American

agricultural exports, such as soybeans, with pork already on the first list of

the commerce ministry's targets for retaliation. 

     It has been reported that China's agriculture ministry met representatives

of U.S. Soybean Export Council, an association aiming to promote U.S. soybeans

and related products, earlier this week. American trade officials will also be

meeting American soybean and pork representatives on Friday to discuss possible

solutions to China's retaliations, according to sources cited by the South China

Morning Post. 

     China continues to urge the U.S. to abandon protectionism and

unilateralism, Gao said, when asked to comment on U.S. Trade Representative

Robert Lighthizer's announcement that the U.S. would extend the public comment

period of U.S.'s increased tariff package from 30 days to 60 days. The tariffs

were announced to target Chinese imports, valued at USD50 billion, as the U.S.

claimed that China forces technology transfers from American companies for its

market entry. 

     Gao added that U.S. trade action against China is typically protectionist,

and the U.S. is seeking a zero-sum game similar to that seen in the Cold War

era. If the U.S. continues such measures, China will "fight to the end."

     "China will not change its own development direction based on outside

pressure," Gao noted, and reiterated that China will continue opening up its

economy to the world.

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86 (10) 8532-5998; email: iris.ouyang@marketnews.com

--MNI Beijing Bureau; +86-10-8532-5998; email: beijing@marketnews.com

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