It said China's position has been consistent and clear, noting that, cooperation serves the interests of the two countries, but conflict rather hurts both sides.

A statement issued by the State Council Information Office of the People's Republic of China and copied to the Ghana News Agency, said striking a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement serves the interest of China and the US and meets the expectations of the world.

It expressed the hope that the US could pull in the same direction with China in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit to manage the economic and trade differences and strengthen trade and economic cooperation.

It said China-US relations based on coordination, cooperation and stability would inure to the well-being of both nations and the world at large.

The Chinese government is committed to resolving disputes through dialogue and consultation and China has engaged in multiple rounds of economic and trade consultations with the US in an effort to stabilise the bilateral commercial relationship.

"China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one and it will fight one if necessary," it said. 

The statement said China was willing to work together with the US to find solutions and reaching a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement.

However, cooperation has to be based on principles because China would never compromise on major issues of principle, it said.

The US Government in March 2018 imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese products and Beijing retaliated in equal measure.

After months of trade hostilities, both countries agreed to halt new trade tariffs in December 2018, to allow for negotiation but that faded, with the US imposing more than double tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese products.

The Chinese Government also retaliated with tariff hikes on US$60 billion worth of goods from the US, with duties of up to 25 per cent covering a wide range of industrial and consumer items.