Don’t Go Too Far, Chinese Foreign Minister Tells Mike Pompeo

Beijing: China’s State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Washington “not to go too far” in its measures that threatened Chinese interests in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In the phone call on Saturday, Wang expressed his strong opposition to the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump last week that prohibits the use of technological equipment by firms allegedly trying to spy on Washington, which could restrict business with companies such as Huawei. “We urge the US side not to go too far,” Wang told Pompeo, adding that the US should change its course as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage of bilateral ties.

The Chinese Minister said that Beijing “was still willing to resolve economic and trade differences through negotiations, but that they should be on an equal footing”, Xinhua news agency reported. He added that in any negotiations, China must safeguard its legitimate interests, respond to the calls of its people and defend the basic norms of international relations. While both Beijing and Washington say that negotiations to resolve the trade dispute have not yet collapsed after over 10 rounds of talks, it seems unlikely that the deadlock will break in the short term after the mutual imposition of tariffs and trading of accusations by both countries. (IANS)

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