ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday urged dialogue and consultation with the US on trade issues after US President Donald Trump accused Beijing of “purposefully” avoiding purchases of American soybeans and threatened new restrictions on trade.

Trump on Tuesday wrote on his social media company Truth Social: “I believe that China purposefully not buying our soybeans, and causing difficulty for our soybean farmers, is an economically hostile act.” He added that Washington is considering ending trade with Beijing over cooking oil and “other elements of trade, as retribution.”

Responding to the remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing’s stance on economic and trade relations with Washington remains “consistent and clear.”

“The two sides need to address relevant issues through consultation on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit,” Lin told reporters at a regular news conference in Beijing.

According to data from the US Agriculture Department’s Foreign Agricultural Service, US soybean exports to China dropped from $17.9 billion in 2022 to $12.2 billion in 2024.

Trump said earlier that soybeans would be a key topic in his potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Beijing urges US to ‘correct its mistakes’ on tariffs

In a separate briefing, Lin criticized Washington for its tariff policies, saying the US “talks about dialogue while simultaneously resorting to threats and intimidation, imposing high tariffs, and introducing new restrictive measures.”

“We urge the US to promptly correct its mistakes and resolve relevant issues through dialogue and consultation on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity,” Lin said, adding that China’s export controls on rare earths are “in accordance with the law.”

His remarks followed comments by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, who told CNBC on Tuesday that an additional 100% tariffs on Chinese exports could take effect on Nov. 1, depending on Beijing’s actions.

“A lot depends on what the Chinese do,” Greer said. “They are the ones who have chosen to make this major escalation.”

Trump announced Friday plans to impose new tariffs of 100% on Chinese goods and restrict exports of “critical software” after China expanded its rare earth export restrictions on Thursday.

On Sunday, he posted that “trade tensions with China will be resolved,” adding on Truth Social: “Don’t worry about China, it will all be fine.”