Who’s coming when? Steven Mnuchin’s trade talks travel plan is news to Beijing

China ‘unaware’ of any such arrangements, commerce ministry says after US treasury secretary tells Congressional hearing he will be heading back to Beijing soon

Negotiations damaged by the US ‘unilaterally and continuously’ escalating the conflict, ministry spokesman says

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China’s commerce ministry spokesman Gao Feng said he was unaware of any plans for US trade negotiators to return to Beijing. Photo: AP

Published: 8:45pm, 16 May 2019Updated: 10:57pm, 16 May 2019

China is unaware of any plans for US negotiators to visit Beijing for a new round of trade talks, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, suggesting there has been no let up in tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

“China is not aware of the United States’ trip plan,” ministry spokesman Gao Feng told a press conference.

“Both sides had candid and constructive communications in the last round of talks, but very regretfully the US unilaterally and continuously escalated the trade conflict, which led to grave damage to the discussions.”

Gao’s comments came after US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a Congressional hearing on Wednesday that he expected to visit Beijing soon to continue the trade talks.

Steven Mnuchin (left) said he and the team he leads with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (right) would return to Beijing soon. Photo: EPA-EFE

The latest discussions in Washington were “constructive” but a lot of work remained to be done before the two sides could reach a deal, he said.

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