China to host US trade talks in Beijing in early January
- First face-to-face meeting since US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed 90-day truce on December 1 in Argentina at G20 summit
- Deputy US trade representative Jeffrey Gerrish will lead the American team, joined by Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs David Malpass
A United States government delegation will travel to Beijing in the second week of January to hold trade talks with Chinese officials, two people familiar with the matter said.
Deputy US trade representative Jeffrey Gerrish will lead the Trump administration’s team, which will also include Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs David Malpass, according to the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
Neither the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) nor Treasury responded to requests for comment.
Gao Feng, spokesman at the commerce ministry, confirmed to reporters in Beijing on Thursday that the two sides are planning to hold face-to-face negotiations next month and that consultations through "intensive" telephone calls would continue in the meantime.
"Even as the US side is in the Christmas holiday period, China and US economic and trade teams have been in close communication, and the consultations are progressing in an orderly manner as scheduled," said Gao, who declined to confirm any specific dates.
