President Donald Trump suggested another delay to his higher so-called “reciprocal” tariffs was unlikely, raising pressure on nations to negotiate trade deals with his administration.

China has denied any suggestion it's in active negotiations with the administration of U_S_ President Donald Trump over tariffs, saying any notion of progress in the matter is as groundless as “trying to catch the wind.

He said he would impose tariffs on countries in two to three weeks if deals were not reached, backtracking on his promise to delay them by 90 days.

China has granted some tariff exemptions on American imports and is considering lifting other duties, according to the local US business lobby group, in a possible sign of relief for companies hit by Donald Trump’s trade war.

A Ministry of Commerce taskforce is collecting lists of items that could be exempted from tariffs and is asking companies to submit their own requests, according to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity.

An American business group said that Chinese officials had been surveying companies about American products that are crucial to their supply chains.