File photo: GT

Lifting tariffs is necessary for reaching a phrase one deal, and the extent of the tariff lifting should reflect the deal's importance. China and the US are holding 'in-depth discussions' on the issue, Gao Feng, spokesperson of MOFCOM said on Thursday.

Gao reiterated China's clear position that as the biliteral trade war began with imposing tarrifs, it should also be ended with a removal of tarrifs.