China pushes for tariff ban to end US trade war

China's President Xi Jinping (L) and Kenya's President William Ruto inspect the guard of honour during a ceremonial welcome at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday

Kenyan President William Ruto pledged to build closer ties with China on Thursday, a day after saying a global trade war triggered by Washington could deal a "death blow" to the current world order.  Ruto is on a five-day visit to China. The visit comes at a time when both countries are seeking to expand ties amid a tariff fight between Washington and Beijing.

Kenya wants to learn from "China's remarkable journey of transformation in governance, economic development and global leadership," Ruto said. He thanked Chinese leader Xi Jinping for tens of millions of dollars in support for health, education and disaster relief.

Ruto, an evangelical Christian from a modest background, was elected on promises to help Kenya's poor in a country struggling with debt.

China called for all 'unilateral' US tariffs to be cancelled on Thursday, as signs emerged that the Trump administration may de-escalate its trade war with Beijing.

China also clarified it has not held trade talks with Washington despite repeated comments from the US government suggesting there had been engagement.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the US will have a deal with China and on Wednesday said there was “direct contact” between both countries. Trump, who calls his tariffs “reciprocal”, says the duties aim to correct unfair trade imbalances with the US.

The US should remove all “unilateral tariff measures” against China “if it truly wanted” to solve the trade issue, Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said on Thursday.

“The person who tied the bell must untie it,” he told reporters at a regular press conference. The Trump administration would look at lowering tariffs on imported Chinese goods from their current level of 145% to possibly between 50% and 65%, pending talks with Beijing, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing a source familiar with the matter.

China's He also urged the US to pay attention to the "rational voices" of the international community and domestic parties.

"China and the United States have not conducted consultations or negotiations on tariffs, let alone reached an agreement," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a separate news briefing, calling reports of such information "false news".