"They responded by threatening us with their own tariffs" covering almost 40 percent of US imports, says US official. "They started with these unfair trading practices."
"We remain open to further discussions" but "China has to be willing to come to the table and address legitimate concerns."
"It's important countries refrain from devaluating currencies for competitive purposes" but "I wouldn't draw the conclusion" that today's action against #China is linked "to any one specific action," says official.
"The president remains open to those conversations" with #China, says official. "We are in contact with our Chinese counterparts" but no announcement today about a specific round of new discussions.
Key fact is "China has engaged in terrible, unfair practices" that put all of "U.S. high-tech sector at risk," says senior administration official. "So far all they've done is to threaten us with even more tariffs."
"Worst thing" for American consumers and workers "is going to be if China continues to do what it's been doing," says official.
Beijing responds: “We urge the United States to correct its attitude and not to try to blackmail China because it will never work.”
