Chinese team arrives in US for trade war talks under shadow of latest Huawei charges
- Americans waiting for Chinese response to list of demands, which include right to verify structural reforms
- Criminal charges filed against Chinese tech giant could be another stumbling block in the talks
A high-level Chinese trade delegation landed in Washington on Tuesday for a fresh round of talks aimed at ending the trade war, but the US indictment against the telecoms giant Huawei may prove to be an additional stumbling block.
A diplomatic source said the US had presented a list of demands to China during their previous round of talks in Beijing in early January.
China said it would study the demands, and is expected to make counter proposals in the upcoming talks, the source said.
Both sides gave a positive assessment of the last talks, saying the discussions were “good”.
Even though that talk was at vice-ministerial level, Vice-Premier Liu He, who is leading the Chinese delegation in Washington, made a surprise appearance – signalling China’s eagerness to engage the Americans.
But the US Justice Department’s decision to file criminal charges against Huawei, which is accused of stealing technology and breaching sanctions against Iran, creates additional uncertainty.
Beijing has denounced the indictment as politically motivated and immoral.
The US is also seeking the extradition from Canada of the Huawei executive Sabrina Meng Wanzhou on charges of fraud relating to the alleged breach of sanctions.