As the U.S.-China tariff war escalates, sources close to Beijing suggest multiple conditions for reentering trade talks, including a demand that Washington take its national security concerns seriously, particularly regarding Taiwan.
According to a Bloomberg report on Thursday, China is urging the U.S. to appoint a lead negotiator with the president’s backing, capable of drafting an agreement for Presidents Trump and Xi to potentially sign at a future meeting.
A person familiar with China’s position told Bloomberg that the top precondition for any talks is mutual respect. While Trump has taken a more conciliatory tone toward Xi in public, other U.S. officials have adopted a harsher stance, creating uncertainty in Beijing about Washington’s true intentions.
Chinese officials also want clarity on whether the U.S. is prepared to address core concerns, chief among them that Washington has pursued policies aimed at containing and suppressing China’s modernization, including tightening export controls to block access to advanced semiconductors.
On Taiwan, the source said China is not seeking confrontation but will respond if provoked. National security remains a central issue for Beijing.
Scott Kennedy, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), said both countries appear to be “inching toward the negotiating table,” with each trying to project strength while shaping the framework for future talks.