U.S. has reached out to China to talk tariffs, state media says
"The U.S. has proactively reached out to China through multiple channels, hoping to hold discussions on the tariff issue," Yuyuan Tantian said in a post published on its official Weibo social media account, citing anonymous sources.
Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, on Wednesday said: "as far as I know, there have been no consultations or negotiations between China and the U.S. on tariffs".
Mr. Trump said in a U.S. media interview published last on Friday that his administration was talking with China to reach a tariff deal and that Chinese President Xi Jinping had called him. Beijing last week repeatedly denied such talks were taking place, accusing Washington of "misleading the public".
Yuyuan Tantian is not among China's most authoritative state media outlets. The Global Times, which is owned by the newspaper of the governing Communist Party, People's Daily, has often been the first to report China's next steps in trade disagreements over the past few years.
Mr. Trump said on Wednesday he belived there was a "very good chance" his administration could do a deal with China, hours after Mr. Xi called for China, the world's second-largest economy, to take action to adjust to changes in the international environment, without explicitly mentioning the United States.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
8 minutes ago
- First Post
Trump's Epstein headache: Frustrated but won't create ‘bigger spectacle by firing anyone,' report quotes aide
Despite applying numerous diversion tactics, the Epstein Files scandal continues to remain a persistent headache for US President Donald Trump, with reports suggesting that he is frustrated with his government's handling of the case read more As the Epstein scandal takes America by storm, reports are emerging that US President Donald Trump is increasingly frustrated with how his administration is handling the furore surrounding his ties with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Officials close to the matter told The Washington Post that the president is upset with how the scandal has overshadowed his agenda. However, two people familiar with the matter claimed that despite being upset with the team, Trump would not sack anyone, because a firing would act like fuel to the fire that Trump wants to die down. The president's exasperation follows weeks of missteps and no clear strategy among top officials who underestimated the outrage, especially from the president's base, and hoped the country would forget about the unreleased Epstein Files. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'This is a pretty substantial distraction,' one person close to the situation told The Washington Post. 'While many are trying to keep the unity, in many ways, the DOJ and the FBI are breaking at the seams. Many are wondering how sustainable this is going to be for all the parties involved — be it the FBI director or attorney general.' Trump is hesitant to say 'You're fired' Despite his frustration, officials said that Trump has been hesitant to make personnel changes. 'He does not want to create a bigger spectacle by firing anyone,' a person close to the president told the American news outlet. At the centre of the storm is US Attorney General . For months, the release of the Epstein Files was one of Bondi's signature agendas. However, during the July Fourth holiday weekend, Bondi, her top deputy and FBI leaders swiftly gave final approval to an unsigned memo about the Epstein files that ignited a whole new furore. The controversial memo argued that the Trump administration had found no evidence to dispute that Epstein died by suicide in jail in 2019 and said there was no 'client list' that would lead them to prosecute anyone else. Apart from this, the memo noted that no more documents would be released in the case in order to protect the privacy of the victims. The memo garnered backlash from both Democrats and Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) Movement supporters. Both sides started to demand more transparency while the White House struggled to respond. Since then, anonymous officials claim that Trump and Bondi have been discussing the matter 'almost every day'. 'They completely miscalculated the fever pitch to which they built this up,' Stephen A. Saltzburg, a former Justice Department official in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, told The Washington Post. 'Now, they seem to be in full-bore panic mode, trying to change the subject and flailing to make sense of what makes no sense," he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The cracks within the Trump team White House soon went into a damage control mode with a steady series of announcements from the administration has failed to quiet the clamor, including the release of FBI records on the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, a newly launched investigation into former FBI director James B. Comey and an substantive treason accusation against former president Barack Obama over the 2016 presidential election. However, none of it seemed to sway the public's attention from the Epstein files. 'We had the Greatest Six Months of any President in the History of our Country, and all the Fake News wants to talk about is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax!' Trump vented on social media this month. Apart from this, cracks are propping up within the Trump administration. The Epstein scandal has left the DoJ and the FBI on opposing sides. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino even threatened to resign from his post. Not only this, Bondi accused Bongino of leaking information to the media around the handling of the Epstein files, three people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post. With disagreements within the team and the reports of Trump's name being mentioned in the files multiple times, the Epstein Files have become a recurring headache for the president.
NDTV
8 minutes ago
- NDTV
Did Donald Trump Cheat During Golf Game? Video From Scotland Sparks Row
Edinburgh: US President Donald Trump was in Scotland over the weekend, where he played golf at his Trump Turnberry golf course. But social media users soon got hold of a clip that appears to show the American leader cheating in the sport he claims to love-- the latest in a long line of cheating accusations against the 79-year-old on the golf course. A now-viral video, recorded during Trump's Saturday round, shows Trump arriving at a bunker in a cart. He is followed by a caddie in a red vest, who was purportedly seen tossing a ball into the light rough near a bunker, just short of the sand trap. The move seemed to improve the American president's lie before he exited his golf cart. Trump working hard to bring down grocery prices — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 27, 2025 Trump reportedly played 18 holes with his son Eric and US Ambassador Warren Stephens at Turnberry during the trip that included trade talks with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen. The latest controversy adds to sports writer Rick Reilly's claim that "Trump is the worst cheat ever" on the golf course. The former Sports Illustrated columnist, who wrote the book titled "Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump", said in a 2019 interview that the Republican would "cheat you on the course and then buy you lunch." Reilly, who reportedly played the self-regulated sport with Trump, had called the President a habitual manipulator. "I always say golf is like bicycle shorts. It reveals a lot about a man. And golf reveals a lot of ugliness in this president," he said, according to a report by The Guardian. Neither the President nor the White House have issued any statement on the renewed 'cheating' allegations yet. The clip also divided social media users, with several accusing Trump of cheating while others joking about his focus on golf amid trade negotiations. "Trump caught cheating at golf, watch the second guy in the red vest toss a ball behind him," one X user wrote. "Watch his caddy drop the ball in a more favourable location for him. First, he cheated on his wife with children, and now he's cheating at golf. What low will he not stoop to?" another person wrote. "Trump working hard to bring down grocery prices," a third person quipped. The US President's fairness in the port he claims to love has long been questioned, with veterans like Mick Mulvaney noting his competitive edge. The Turnberry incident, while not conclusive proof of cheating, adds to scrutiny over his sportsmanship.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
8 minutes ago
- First Post
India-China ties changing: 4 signs, 1 challenge
After a five-year hiatus triggered by the 2020 border standoff, India and China are burying the hatchet, driven by mutual interest and global pressures read more Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting in informal setup in 2019 India and China, two of Asia's giants, have been navigating a complex relationship since the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash. However, recent developments signal a cautious warming of ties, driven by mutual interest and global pressures, though challenges remain. Here are four indicators of improving relations and one significant hurdle that persists. 1) India resumes tourist visas for Chinese nationals After a five-year hiatus triggered by the 2020 border standoff, India has reinstated tourist visas for Chinese citizens, a move aimed at mending strained ties. The announcement, shared by the Indian embassy in Beijing, was reported by China's state-owned Global Times. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun called it a 'positive move,' expressing China's willingness to enhance 'facilitation of people-to-people exchanges.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The visa suspension, along with restrictions on Chinese investments and apps, followed the 2020 clash that resulted in casualties on both sides. 2) Jaishankar's landmark visit to China External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's visit to China from July 13-15 marked a significant diplomatic milestone, the first such trip since the 2020 standoff. Meeting President Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Vice President Han Zheng before attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Council of Foreign Ministers, Jaishankar noted that both nations have made 'good progress' in normalising relations over the past nine months. He emphasised that maintaining peace along the border is the 'fundamental basis for mutual strategic trust' and called for further de-escalation. 3) China issues 85,000 visas for Indian pilgrims In a reciprocal gesture, China issued over 85,000 visas to Indian citizens in 2025, particularly for those visiting sacred sites like Mansarovar. Chinese Ambassador Xu Feihong announced on X, 'As of April 9, 2025, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in India have issued more than 85,000 visas to Indian citizens travelling to China this year. Welcome more Indian friends to visit China, experience an open, safe, vibrant, sincere and friendly China.' This surge in visas, following troop disengagement in eastern Ladakh, further signals the strengthening of people-to-people ties. 4) Push for direct flight resumption Both nations have agreed to restore direct flights and mutual travel, suspended since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent border clash. India's Ministry of External Affairs stated, 'The two sides agreed to take additional practical steps, including travel to each other's country and direct flight connectivity, for facilitating people-to-people exchanges.' While China's foreign ministry statement omitted mention of flights, the agreement reflects a shared interest in easing travel barriers between the world's most populous neighbours. The challenge: Reluctance to share technology Despite these positive steps, a key obstacle remains: Chinese companies' reluctance to share technology and data, the same attitude shown by their Western counterparts. This poses a significant challenge to deeper economic collaboration, testing India's diplomatic finesse. As both nations navigate this issue, India's scepticism about China's intentions, given its history as a hostile, irresponsible and unpredictable neighbour, underscores the need for careful engagement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump factor- a peace initiative he never takes credit for US President Donald Trump is often visibly eager to claim credit for peace initiatives across the globe in a bid to reinforce his nomination for Nobel Peace Prize. However, the ongoing reconciliation between the two Asian neighbours is something Trump never would brag about. It's Trump's unpredictable policies that have forced Beijing and New Delhi to step closer despite their shared concerns. Recently, China's open support to Pakistan in the four-day standoff with India angered many in New Delhi. However, that frustration didn't culminate in a setback for Sino-Indo ties. India is selectively engaging with Chinese firms while diversifying its economic resources, balancing cooperation with strategic caution.
