China and US trade officials exchange barbs during ‘candid talks’ but vow to step up communication amid rising tensions

China and the US have exchanged barbs over their differences on trade but have nevertheless agreed to step up communication to manage heightening conflicts after top trade officials from both sides met in Washington.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and his United States counterpart Gina Raimondo had “candid, professional and constructive” exchanges on bilateral trade relations and concerns, China’s commerce ministry said in a statement on Friday.