China's state media warns against expecting a lot in trade talks

[BEIJING] Chinese state media warned the nation shouldn't expect a quick resolution of its trade dispute with the US, as there have been no signs that US President Donald Trump has changed his thinking.

While it is good to talk, China should be aware that there may not be a deal anytime soon, according to an editorial published on Thursday evening in Global Times, a tabloid run by the official People's Daily. The newspaper said Washington is still taking a tough attitude.

The US will only engage in serious discussions if it believes additional tariffs won't bring more benefits, or if public opinion in the US harms Mr Trump's approval rating, according to the article.

Mr Trump tweeting that he isn't under pressure to make a deal with China has stoked concern that the US president isn't serious about a possible new round of trade talks between the two nations. China's commerce ministry said Wednesday it welcomed a US offer of talks and that both sides were working on the details.

The US proposal to talk could be "deceptive," warned the China Daily, the nation's flagship English newspaper.

China is serious about the trade talks, and would like to believe Mr Trump is equally serious, according to an editorial published on Thursday evening.

"But the Trump administration should not be mistaken that China will surrender to the US demands. It has enough fuel to drive its economy even if a trade war is prolonged," the newspaper said.

BLOOMBERG