A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday that lifting “all” of the US’ additional tariffs against China is beneficial to both countries as well as the world as a whole, as talks of the US’ possible removal of some tariffs on Chinese imports are emerging from the US. 

Earlier Tuesday, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He held a video conversation with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and raised concerns about the US’ imposing additional tariffs on Chinese goods and sanctions against China. 

Asked about the virtual meeting at a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Zhao Lijian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that China’s position on the issue of tariffs the US imposed on Chinese products has been constant and clear. 

“Lifting all additional tariffs imposed against China will benefit both China and the US as well as the world as a whole,” Zhao said. The spokesperson noted that amid high inflation, the US should remove tariffs on imported Chinese goods as soon as possible to benefit American consumers and business, adding that one US think tank calculated that removal of these tariffs would lead to 1 percent reduction in domestic inflation.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the US government was expected to remove “some tariffs” on Chinese imports “soon,” and the decision could be announced as soon as “this week.” 

Responding to the US Department of Treasury’s claim of “non-market” economic practices in China, Zhao said that such a claim is inconsistent with the facts. 

The facts over the past 40 years have shown that the success of China’s economy is attributed to the success of the country’s reform and opening-up as well as the success of effective combination of both market and government forces, Zhao said.

He said that China’s reform and opening-up not only benefits China but also the world, as it drives the development of China’s economy while making a significant contribution to global economic prosperity.