Investing.com-- China is confident it will be able to manage trade issues with the United States, Vice Foreign Minister Chunying Hua said on Friday, ahead of trade talks between the two countries over the weekend.
Speaking to reporters at a middle school in southwestern China, Hua said “we have no fear,” and that Washington’s trade policy could not be sustained, according to comments carried by Reuters.
Hua’s comments come just ahead of trade talks between top U.S. and Chinese officials, which are set to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, over the weekend.
“We do not want any kind of war with any country. But we have to face up to the reality. As you can see, people have full confidence in our capability to overcome all the difficulties,” Hua said.
Trade data released on Friday showed China’s exports performed much better than expected in April despite headwinds from U.S. trade tariffs. Chinese imports also fell at a slower-than-expected rate, while the country’s trade surplus shrank slightly more than expected.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he was willing to slash his 145% tariffs on China if the weekend trade talks went well. A New York Post report said Trump could slash his tariffs to 50% by next week.