Beijing rejects Washington's accusation of violating consensus reached last month
China accused the US on Monday of severely undermining the consensus reached during recent economic and trade talks in Geneva to address Washington's so-called "reciprocal" tariffs issue.
A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce rejected recent US claims that Beijing has violated the consensus reached in the China-US talks in May, putting a similar blame on Washington, the Global Times reported.
China said it canceled or suspended relevant tariff and non-tariff measures targeting the US "reciprocal tariffs" in accordance with the consensus reached during the talks.
In contrast, the spokesperson added, the US after the talks has successively introduced multiple "discriminatory" restrictions against China, including issuing artificial intelligence (AI) chip export control guidance, halting sales of chip design software – electronic design automation (EDA) – to China and announcing the revocation of visas for Chinese students.
"China, with a responsible attitude, has earnestly addressed, strictly implemented and actively upheld the consensus of the economic and trade talks in Geneva. China's commitment to safeguarding its rights is resolute, and its implementation of the consensus reflects integrity," the spokesperson said.
"These actions seriously violate the consensus reached during the Jan. 17 phone call between the two heads of state, severely undermine the existing consensus of the Geneva economic and trade talks, and significantly harm China's legitimate rights and interests," the Commerce Ministry said.
The US has continuously provoked new trade frictions, exacerbating uncertainty and instability in bilateral economic and trade relations, it said.
"Instead of reflecting on its own actions, it unjustly shifts blame, baselessly accusing China of violating the consensus, which gravely deviates from the facts. China firmly rejects these unwarranted accusations," the spokesperson said.
If the US persists in its unilateral approach and continues to harm China's interests, China will resolutely take strong measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests, the spokesperson added.
