President Trump said that “we’re meeting with China” on tariffs, comments aimed at soothing jittery financial markets. But Chinese officials say no talks have taken place.

The outlook of an all-out trade war between the U.S. and China remains a central question for the global economy, but the two sides appear to disagree even about whether talks have begun. President Donald Trump late Wednesday said the world’s two largest economies are “actively” discussing trade issues.

Levies on certain U.S.-made microchips have been dropped, importers say. Meanwhile, China denied President Trump’s claims that talks to reduce tariffs are happening.

Despite comments from U.S. President Donald Trump that he's spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about tariffs, China maintains that no talks have taken place.

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.