US Trade Representative Katherine Tai ‘hoping to see’ Chinese commerce minister at Apec gathering

Amid speculation of a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the two-day forum in Detroit, Michigan, no confirmation yet from either side

US-China relations still fraught after American trade deal with Taiwan, despite recent high-level engagement in Vienna

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US Trade Representative Katherine Tai plays a leading role in the Biden administration’s China policy. Photo: AP

Published: 7:45am, 25 May 2023

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Wednesday said she was expecting Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao at a two-day gathering of trade ministers from Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) member states in Detroit, Michigan.

“I am hoping to see him,” she told the Post on the sidelines of an event honouring the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, adding that she had not yet seen a list of confirmed attendees.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Chinese embassy in Washington told the Post via email that it did “not have any information to offer at this time” on Wang travelling to Detroit for the Apec forum scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

While a bilateral meeting has been speculated, neither Washington nor Beijing has yet to confirm any such plans.

US Trade Representative Katherine Tai attending an event celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Detroit, Michigan, on Wednesday. Photo: Khushboo Razdan

The Chinese embassy last week said Wang would be visiting Washington this week to meet top US trade officials, leading to reports of an expected meeting with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.