U.S. and Chinese trade negotiators have made contact over the two countries’ ongoing trade dispute for the first time since U.S. President Joe Biden took office.
The new U.S. trade representative Katherine Tai and China’s Vice Premier Liu He spoke on Thursday, both sides said in separate statements.
“The two sides had frank, pragmatic and constructive exchanges,’’ China’s trade ministry said.
The trade ministry said U.S. gave a similar evaluation, noting a candid exchange between the two.
The choice of words in diplomatic scenarios usually indicates there were some differences of opinion during discussions.
The U.S. side that during an “introductory virtual meeting,’’ Ambassador Tai discussed “the guiding principles of the Biden-Harris Administration’s worker-centred trade policy and her ongoing review of the U.S.-China trade relationship, while also raising issues of concern.’’
Ambassador Tai also noted that she looked forward to future discussions with Vice Premier Liu, according to the U.S. statement.
Both sides emphasised the importance of their trading relationship.
But Joe Biden’s new U.S. administration sees China as its biggest competitor and has indicated that it will also pursue a tough course against Beijing-albeit in coordination with international allies.
China was accused of unfair trade practices, government subsidies, market barriers, intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer.
Beijing and Washington were embroiled in a trade war for three years.
The last contact between negotiators was in August during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The U.S. and China reached a partial agreement last January with a so-called phase-one trade deal that served as a ceasefire in the trade war, with compliance to be reviewed every six months.
China pledged to significantly increase its imports from the U.S. as part of the agreement.
Beijing was also demanding the U.S. withdraw punitive tariffs imposed by Trump on almost all imports from China – more than Beijing could respond to with counter-tariffs. (dpa/NAN)
