China and the United States are not having any consultation or negotiation on tariffs, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun reiterated on Friday.

Guo made the remarks at a regular news conference, after reports cited the US side as saying on Thursday that trade talks between the two countries are underway.

A White House official said lower level in-person talks as well as a phone call between US and Chinese staff members had taken place this week, Reuters reported.

"The US side should not mislead the public," Guo said, reiterating that there are no talks between the two countries over the tariff issue.