US-China trade war: top negotiators hold ‘candid and constructive’ talks, first of Joe Biden presidency
- Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai spoke by telephone on Thursday morning
- Beijing stressed the importance of developing bilateral trade after ‘candid and constructive’ exchange
A brief statement on Thursday by China’s Ministry of Commerce said Vice-Premier Liu He and US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai had a “candid and constructive” exchange.
“The two sides conducted candid, pragmatic and constructive exchanges in an attitude of equality and mutual respect. The two sides believe that the development of bilateral trade is very important, and they exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and agreed to continue to communicate,” the statement said.
A statement from the USTR’s office said that Tai had discussed the guiding principles of the Biden administration’s worker-centred trade policy and her ongoing review of the US-China trade relationship, while also raising issues of concern.
During their candid exchange, Ambassador Tai discussed the guiding principles of the Biden-Harris Administration’s worker-centred trade policy and her ongoing review of the US-China trade relationship, while also raising issues of concern
“Ambassador Katherine Tai held an introductory virtual meeting with Vice-Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Liu He, to discuss the importance of the trade relationship between the United States and China,” the USTR statement said.