China has said that there have been no talks with the U.S. on elevated tariffs, even as recent remarks from the White House have raised hopes for a softening in trade tensions between the world's two largest economies, according to CNBC.

A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said "at present there are absolutely no negotiations on the economy and trade between China and the U.S.," CNBC reported on Thursday. The spokesperson noted that "all sayings" with respect to potential progress on the discussions should be dismissed, the business news channel said.

Beijing also called on the U.S. to "cancel all the unilateral measures" if it wants to "resolve the problem," CNBC said.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to secure a "fair deal" with China over trade, although he did not lay out any specifics around possible negotiations with Beijing.

Trump has made China one of the central targets of his aggressive tariffs, pushing levies on imports coming from the country up to at least 145%. This has sparked a retaliatory response from China, who has lifted tariffs on U.S. products to 125%.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that these tariffs would need to be lowered before talks can proceed -- but he stressed that Trump would not make such a move on his own.

"Neither side believes that these are sustainable levels," Bessent said. The remark partly fueled a climb in stocks on Wall Street on Wednesday.

The comments come after the Wall Street Journal reported that the White House was considering bringing its punishing tariffs on China down to as low as 50% to help facilitate negotiations. However, Trump officials will not do so unilaterally, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar with the matter.

Source : Investing.com