‘Fake news’: Chinese officials dismiss claims of US trade war consultations

China denied it has made any overtures to the United States on trade negotiations, dismissing claims of progress on bilateral talks as “fake news” despite an apparent softening by US President Donald Trump on the hefty tariffs he has imposed since returning to office in January. When asked if the US and China have started trade negotiations - a question prompted by assertions from Trump that Washington has been in contact with officials from Beijing - Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun said “all of this is fake news” in a press conference on April 24, 2025.