China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Beijing stands on the side of international rules on U.S.-imposed tariffs and opposes protectionism, the Foreign Ministry on Saturday. Speaking on the sidelines of a China-Central Asia foreign ministers meeting in Kazakhstan,

China and the US, the world's two biggest economies, are locked in an escalating tit-for-tat trade battle triggered by Trump's levies on Chinese goods, which have reached 145 per cent on many products.

An American business group said Chinese officials had surveyed companies about American products that are crucial to their supply chains.

While Beijing has consistently said it is open to talks, Chinese officials have struggled to understand the Trump administration’s demands.

China has granted some tariff exemptions on American imports and is considering lifting other duties, according to the local US business lobby group, in a possible sign of relief for companies hit by Donald Trump’s trade war.

President Trump said that “we’re meeting with China” on tariffs, comments aimed at soothing jittery financial markets. But Chinese officials say no talks have taken place.