China's leaders have shrugged off the potential impact from U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war, saying they have the tools needed to protect jobs and limit damage from higher tariffs on Chinese exports.

Chinese officials reiterated their plan to strengthen support for employment and the economy, as a trade war with the Trump administration continues with no immediate off-ramp in sight.

Ryan Petersen said a lot of what Americans buy from China is "discretionary spend" — optional items that can be replaced if they become expensive.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday did not back President Donald Trump's assertion that tariff talks with China were under way and said he did not know if the U.S. president had talked to Chinese President Xi Jinping.