(Bloomberg) -- Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China would be willing to reopen trade negotiations with U.S., if the Trump administration took a less combative approach.

“China’s door of dialogue and negotiation remains open, but any dialogue must be based on equality and mutual respect,” Wang said Monday during a joint news conference with U.K. Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in Beijing. “Any threats or pressure by one side will only be counterproductive.”

Almost two months have passed since China and the U.S. last held official talks, although both sides have continued to hint at restarting negotiations. While the two nations seemed close to a deal in May, the collapse of that left Chinese officials embarrassed and they’re worried that they might get played again, according to three Chinese officials who asked not to be identified discussing strategy.

Hunt was making his first visit to Asia since taking over the post in the wake of Boris Johnson’s resignation earlier this month. The U.K. is seeking to shore up relationships around the world as it negotiates its exit from the European Union. China also wants more international allies in its escalating trade conflict with the U.S.

--With assistance from Dandan Li.

To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Peter Martin in Beijing at pmartin138@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Brendan Scott at bscott66@bloomberg.net, Philip Glamann

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