China refutes Trump's claim of phone call with Xi

ISTANBUL

Beijing on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump's claims that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“To my knowledge, there has been no phone call between the two leaders recently,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told reporters in the Chinese capital, according to the South China Morning Post.

“I would like to reiterate that China and the US have not engaged in consultations or negotiations regarding tariff issues.”

In his interview with Time magazine published last week, Trump claimed that Xi had "called" him, and Washington was in “active talks” with the Chinese side to strike a deal.

“I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” Trump said of Xi, adding that he expects to have a full slate of deals announced over the next three to four weeks. “There’s a number at which they will feel comfortable,” Trump added.

However, Beijing has repeatedly denied that it was in talks with Washington about a deal following the Trump administration's 245% tariffs on Chinese imports, to which China responded with 125% tariffs on all US imports.

ISTANBUL

Beijing on Monday rejected US President Donald Trump's claims that he spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“I would like to reiterate that China and the US have not engaged in consultations or negotiations regarding tariff issues.”

In his interview with Time magazine published last week, Trump claimed that Xi had "called" him, and Washington was in “active talks” with the Chinese side to strike a deal.