U.S. President Donald Trump asserted in an interview published on Friday that tariff negotiations were under way with China, but Beijing denied any talks were taking place, the latest in a series of conflicting signals over what progress was being made to de-escalate a trade war threatening to sap global growth.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced in interviews with CNBC and Fox News on Monday that trade agreements with certain countries will be finalized soon. He also mentioned that China is signaling a willingness to negotiate on tariffs,