US and China trade officials meet in Thailand, resuming dialogue on economic policies
- Wang Wentao, China’s commerce minister, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai speak during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok
- The session builds on Monday meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, but neither side mentions the trade-war tariffs that have a focus of friction
Senior trade officials of the US and China have met for the first time in more than a year, the latest resumption of dialogue between the world’s two largest economies.
China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao met “at request” with United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Friday during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders’ summit in Bangkok, Thailand, according to the Chinese ministry.
The two sides had “candid, professional and constructive exchanges” on economic and trade issues of common concerns, the ministry said.
“Both parties agreed to continue to communicate,” added the Chinese statement, noting that Wang and Tai also discussed multilateral and regional economic and trade issues.
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Xi, Biden discuss Taiwan and Xinjiang in first in-person meeting
The USTR office confirmed the meeting, adding that the two “discussed bilateral trade, and also emphasised the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the United States and the People’s Republic of China”.