A file photo taken on Nov. 23, 2016 shows the national flags of the United States and China during the 27th Session of the China-U.S. Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington D.C., capital of the United States. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's Ministry of Commerce has maintained working-level communication with its U.S. counterpart, the ministry said on Thursday.

China's position has been clear and consistent, which is being open to consultations with the U.S. side on economic and trade issues, said spokesperson He Yongqian at a regular press conference.

He said the unilateral tariff hikes were initiated entirely by the U.S. side, and it is up to the one who tied the bell to untie it.

China urges the U.S. side to immediately stop exerting maximum pressure on China, cease its acts of coercion and blackmail, and resolve differences through equal dialogue based on mutual respect, He said.