In the tariff dispute with the USA, China is showing signs of openness to talks.

However, this is likely to depend on Washington's willingness to compromise, according to a post from an online account close to Chinese state television. "As long as the US doesn't take concrete steps, the Chinese side doesn't need to talk to the US side," it stated. If Washington wants to negotiate, it would currently be of no disadvantage to China, and the Chinese side could observe the US's actual intentions, the post continued.

In recent days, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that there are talks with Beijing. The Chinese Foreign Ministry denied the claim. The article also stated that the US had contacted the Chinese side "through a variety of channels" in the hope of discussing tariffs.

Escalation since April

Since the escalation of the trade dispute between the world's two largest economies in early April, Trump has imposed additional tariffs of up to 145 percent on imports from China. In return, Beijing is demanding surcharges of 125 percent on imports from the US. Trump has suspended additional tariffs of varying amounts against other trading partners for 90 days to negotiate with the countries.

The first country to reach an agreement with the US would be an important reference point for other countries to follow, the post on the Chinese account said.

Report: China wants clarity about negotiators

At the same time, the South China Morning Post reported, citing informed sources, that China wanted to wait and see who it would negotiate with before beginning serious talks. The reason, it said, was disagreement within the Trump administration on how to deal with China. Beijing also wanted to see what the US market could handle over the 90-day period and how it developed around July.