WASHINGTON - The leaders of Canada and Mexico telephoned President Donald Trump this week to seek a solution after he imposed tariffs on their countries, but the Chinese president doesn't appear to be making a similar call soon.
Beijing, which, unlike close American partners and neighbours, has been waging a trade and technology war with the US for years, is taking a different approach to Trump in his second term, signaling that any negotiations should be conducted on an equal footing.
Chinese officials say they are open to talks but have also braced for higher US tariffs, which have risen by 20 % since Trump took office seven weeks ago. Intent on not being caught off guard, as they were during Trump's first term, the Chinese have been ready with retaliatory measures - this week imposing their own taxes on imports of key US agricultural products and more.
"As Washington escalates the tariffs, Beijing sees no choice but to retaliate," said Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank. "It doesn't mean Beijing doesn't want to negotiate, but it can't be seen as begging for negotiations or a pardon."
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