BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- China's commerce ministry said on Friday that the country is making assessment as the United States has recently reached out to convey messages to China through relevant parties many times, expressing hope to engage in talks with China over tariff issues.

The tariff and trade wars were unilaterally initiated by the United States. If the U.S. wants to negotiate, it must demonstrate sincerity, and make preparations and take concrete actions on issues such as correcting its erroneous practices and lifting the unilateral tariffs, a commerce ministry spokesperson said in a statement. ■