US-China relations: trade talks will take place ‘when the time is right’, says new US Trade Representative Katherine Tai
- Asian-American Katherine Tai was confirmed as the new US Trade Representative earlier this month
- Former US president Donald Trump placed tariffs on around US$370 billion of Chinese goods, with Joe Biden already saying he would not make any ‘immediate moves’ to lift the tariffs
A trade meeting between China and the United States will take place “when the time is right”, new US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has said.
The Office of the US Trade Representative confirmed Tai spoke to some 14 international trade officials during her first week in office, having been sworn in on March 18, although this did not include Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, China’s chief trade negotiator.
Last week, China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that it “had no relevant information” about possible US-China trade talks following a meeting in Alaska between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Yang Jiechi, China’s most senior foreign policy official.
Tai, though, did confirm US tariffs on Chinese imports are set to remain.
“I have heard people say, ‘please just take these tariffs off,’” Tai told The Wall Street Journal.