By Joke Kujenya
RISING United States of America tariff threats have reignited calls for dialogue, as the Chinese government signals readiness to negotiate amid escalating tensions.
President Donald Trump recently proposed a 10 percent hike on Chinese goods, effective February 1, and announced investigations into actions allegedly harming American commerce.
The U.S. government also announced plans to investigate alleged harmful actions by China towards American commerce.
In response, He Yadong, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce, reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, stating, “Under the strategic guidance of our two leaders, both sides must manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and ensure stable development of economic and trade relations.”
While Trump linked potential tariffs to broader trade negotiations and the sale of TikTok by its Chinese owner, ByteDance, China’s statement focused on fostering cooperation.
President Xi Jinping, during a recent phone call with Trump, highlighted the mutual benefits of economic ties but did not address TikTok explicitly, according to the Chinese readout.
Commerce spokesperson He reiterated China’s stance against tariffs, stating they harm both nations and global trade.
He called on the U.S. to prioritise constructive measures, urging, “We hope the U.S. will consider the voices of businesses and citizens.”
The potential tariff increase follows Trump’s broader strategy to leverage trade as a tool for U.S. economic growth.
On Monday, hours after assuming office, Trump reiterated plans for steep tariffs on Mexico and Canada but stopped short of confirming specific figures for China.
He proposed using these measures to force ByteDance to sell TikTok, amid concerns over its data security and future availability in the U.S.
The escalating tensions also drew comments from China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, who stressed the need for “peaceful coexistence” while affirming China’s commitment to protecting its interests.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed his government’s intention to deepen economic ties with the U.S.
In a call with Trump, the Crown Prince announced plans to invest at least $600 billion in the U.S. over four years.
This follows longstanding efforts by Saudi Arabia to strengthen its trade relationship with America, including arms deals and infrastructure projects initiated during Trump’s first term.
Trump’s strategy to attract investment has also extended to domestic initiatives, including a $100 billion artificial intelligence project involving OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle.
The joint venture, Stargate, aims to significantly boost AI infrastructure in the U.S.
Prince Mohammed bin Salman noted that Saudi Arabia was a key partner during Trump’s previous term, continues to maintain strong economic ties, reaffirming the kingdom’s interest in participating in America’s economic growth.
President Trump also responded positively, referencing the substantial trade agreements secured during his prior presidency.
