Trump: I don't believe China will retaliate against US tariffs

US President Donald Trump on August 15 affirmed that US and Chinese negotiators are making very effective trade negotiations, and the two sides are expected to meet in September despite the additional tariffs that the US will impose on $125 billion worth of imported goods from China that will take effect on September 1.

"As far as I know, the meeting in September is still going ahead as planned. However, more importantly, the two sides are negotiating by phone and we are having productive negotiations," Mr. Trump told the press in New Jersey.

President Trump said that US and Chinese officials "had a very good conversation" earlier this week, before his administration delayed the imposition of additional tariffs on more than $150 billion in Chinese imports until December 15. However, the US leader insisted that any agreement must meet US requirements.

China said on August 15 that it would retaliate against US tariffs but urged Washington to compromise to reach a deal. However, Mr Trump said he did not expect Beijing to retaliate.

“I think we’re having very good discussions with China. They want to make a deal very much. I think the longer the trade war goes on, the better off the United States is. I have a feeling we’re going to make a deal very soon,” Trump said, adding that he had arranged a phone call with Xi Jinping soon but did not specify a time.

For its part, the Chinese Ministry of Finance issued a statement affirming that Washington's decision to impose tariffs violated the agreement between President Trump and President Xi Jinping at the June 2019 Summit in Osaka, Japan, to resolve disagreements between the parties through negotiations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said: "We hope the US will compromise with China and implement the agreement between the two leaders in Osaka."

China hopes to find solutions acceptable to both sides through dialogue and consultation on the basis of fairness and mutual respect.