Well, howdy there, Internet people, it's Bell again. So today, we're going to talk about China,

Trump, and Independence Day, or how Liberation Day might affect Independence Day. Reports are coming

out stating that the Trump administration has reached out to China to try to jumpstart talks over Trump's trade policies.

The public-facing response from China has been lukewarm, but they did say the U.S., quote,

recently through relevant channels, actively conveyed messaging to China, expressing a desire to engage in talks. They said they

were evaluating it, but China's commerce ministry seemed to indicate that the tariffs are

standing in the way, saying, quote, if the U.S. side wants to talk, it must show sincerity

and be prepared to correct its erroneous actions and cancel

its unilateral tariff increases.

Trump has made claims that talks are underway, but even his own cabinet hasn't seemed fit

to back up those claims.

U.S. officials have said that what they called loose discussions all over both governments

were taking place. That seems likely. Ambassadors making calls. U.S. and Chinese counterparts

expressing their government's positions to each other. Yeah, that's probably happening. But that doesn't seem to have altered China's position,

which, according to his statement, remains, quote, China's position on the issue has been consistent.

If it's a fight, we'll fight. If it's talks, the door is open. Trump shifted his tone last week and said tariffs would

come down, but China had to talk. Neither country wants to be seen as the one who blinked first.

Although, some would conclude that Trump's recent shift in tone was a blink. The Chinese government

doesn't appear to be taking his tone

shift as sincere. Even going as far as to say, quote, saying one thing but doing another,

or even attempting to engage in coercion and blackmail under the guise of talks will not work on

the Chinese side. So that's where the

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