China urges US to end threats, pressure and engage in dialogue

China urged the United States on Tuesday to stop making threats and exerting pressure, and engage in dialogue on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was up to China to de-escalate trade tensions.

Speaking at a daily news briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated that there are no winners in a trade war or tariff war.

"The trade war was initiated by the US. If the US wants to resolve the issues through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop making threats and exerting pressure, and engage in dialogue with China on the basis of equality, respect, and mutual benefit," he said.

On the same day, the ministry's new media account released a bilingual video in Chinese and English, titled "Never Kneel Down". At the media conference, Guo expressed hope that the video would help all sides better understand China's position.