China, US back to 'normal' trade talks, aim to resolve 'specific' issues: Ministry of Commerce

BEIJING (Global Times): China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday (June 3) that China and the US have started "normal communication" in the economic and trade fields, and will work together to solve "specific problems" in a practical manner for producers and consumers.

Following two dialogues between senior Chinese and US trade and economic officials in less than a week, the announcement from the MOFCOM marks a major shift in engagement between officials of the world's two biggest economies, which has been notably stalled for months since US President Joe Biden took office in January.

At a routine press conference on Thursday in Beijing, Gao Feng, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM, offered further details about the latest conversations via phone or video link and said that initial communication between the two sides were smooth.

"Both parities thought that the exchanges were professional, candid and constructive. China and the US have started normal communication in economic and trade fields," Gao said, stressing that in both dialogues, both sides adopted an attitude of equality and mutual respect - a crucial basis for talks insisted by Chinese officials.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He held a virtual meeting with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday, which followed a phone call between Liu and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai just six days earlier, on May 27.

According to Gao, both meetings lasted around 50 minutes and both sides exchanged views on the general situation of bilateral economic and trade relations, domestic policies and other issues.

Seeking common grounds while reserving differences has become a consensus between China and the US and both sides believe that China-US economic and trade ties are very important, and there are many specific areas for cooperation, Gao said.

During the talks, both sides also raised their concerns.

"Fully considering the background and status of domestic economic development, the Chinese side expressed our specific concerns," said Gao.

Going forward, for the sake of the two countries and the entire world, the two sides agreed to resolve specific problems in a pragmatic manner for producers and consumers and promote the sound and stable development of China-US economic and trade relations, Gao said. - Global Times