BEIJING: Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen warns United States against using any external pressure to force a trade agreement on China. It was irresponsible of Washington to accuse Beijing of backtracking, said the Chinese Vice Commerce Minister.

Wang while speaking at a news conference refused to disclose whether President Xi Jinping will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at this month’s G-20 summit in Japan. He said, ‘I don’t have this information.’

U.S. President Donald Trump increased the tariff on a $200 billion list of Chinese goods on May 10. But he had given a grace period for sea-borne cargoes that departed China before that date with earlier 10% duty rate. (Agencies)