United States President Donald Trump asserted that discussions with China on tariffs are ongoing, even as Chinese officials publicly deny any negotiations. Trump revealed that he had communicated directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding trade issues.

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stated that Washington is engaged in daily talks with China concerning trade and tariffs. "They need us more than we need them. They need our money, they need our markets, they need our consumers," Rollins emphasized during a recent interview.

However, China's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun refuted claims of recent communication between the two leaders, asserting, "No phone call has occurred recently." Guo reiterated that China and the United States are not currently engaged in consultations or negotiations on tariff matters.

Despite ongoing tensions, Zhao Chenxin, Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, expressed strong confidence that China will meet its 5% economic growth target this year. Zhao emphasized China's readiness with ample policy tools to stabilize employment and the economy regardless of external pressures.

Additionally, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Chen Xu, criticized U.S. tariff actions as "very selfish," arguing that such behavior does not align with the stature of a major power. Chen noted, however, that despite transatlantic disagreements, Washington and Brussels remain ideologically aligned.

The conflicting narratives underscore the complexity of U.S.-China relations as both nations navigate economic ambitions and political friction during President Trump's current term.