US-China trade war: Who blinks first to negotiate tariffs?

Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are locked in a game of chicken - despite wanting the same outcome.

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It was news the rest of the world had been waiting to hear as astonishingly high tariffs - up to 245% on some Chinese exports to the US - throttle trade between the world's two biggest economies, raising the spectre of a recession.

"US officials have repeatedly expressed their willingness to negotiate with China on tariffs," the spokesperson told reporters.

"China's position is consistent. If we fight, we will fight to the end; if we talk, the door is open... If the US wants to talk, it should show its sincerity and be prepared to correct its wrong practices and cancel unilateral tariffs."

The statement comes a day after a Weibo account linked to Chinese state media said the US had been seeking to initiate discussions, and a week after Trump claimed discussions were already underway – a suggestion Beijing denied.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg419qw9g15o

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