US trade chief says Xi-Biden meeting shows ability to manage ‘complex’ trade relationship, but no let up on pressure
- US Trade Representative Katherine Tai says she is optimistic about the ability of both countries to manage ‘complex’ trade relationship
- Tai says key takeaway from Xi Jinping’s meeting with Joe Biden is that leaders have asked senior officials to continue communicating
China’s non-market economic policies continue to affect the US economy and Washington will not let up pressure on Beijing to address outstanding concerns, America’s top trade official said on Tuesday, making no indication that tariffs will be removed.
United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Washington is engaging with Beijing and she was “optimistic about the capability to manage an important and complex relationship with respect to tariffs”.
“I think that is part and parcel with the non-economic practice and concerns and we will continue to work on those issues,” she told the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore.
The US has long accused China of unfair trading practices, including intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer and lack of market access for American companies. China contends that the US is attempting to curb its rise as a global economic superpower.
03:33
Xi, Biden discuss Taiwan and Xinjiang in first in-person meeting
Tai’s comments came after President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Joe Biden met on the Indonesian island Bali on Monday ahead of the Group of 20 summit.
During their three hour conversation, Biden said the US will continue to compete vigorously with China, including by aligning efforts with its allies and encouraging more investment at home.