He Lifeng, the Chinese vice premier and lead person for China-US economic and trade affairs, held a video call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Friday at the latter's request. The two officials engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on crucial economic issues between China and the US, focusing on the implementation of the consensus reached during the phone call between the Chinese and US heads of state.
Both sides acknowledged the significance of China-US economic and trade relations and agreed to maintain open communication on matters of mutual interest. China expressed serious concerns regarding the recent restrictive measures implemented by the US, including the imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods. The details of these concerns were not disclosed in the report.
The call took place amidst ongoing tensions between the two economic giants, with trade disputes and geopolitical issues casting a shadow over their relationship. The US has imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, citing unfair trade practices, while China has retaliated with tariffs of its own. Additionally, the two countries have clashed over issues such as the South China Sea and Taiwan.
Despite these tensions, both sides acknowledged the importance of maintaining a constructive dialogue. The call between He Lifeng and Scott Bessent is seen as a positive step in this direction, and it is hoped that it will pave the way for further engagement and cooperation between the two countries.
The outcome of the call and the future trajectory of China-US relations remain uncertain. However, the willingness of both sides to engage in dialogue is a positive sign, and it is hoped that this will lead to a more stable and cooperative relationship between the two economic giants.
13 Comments
Eugene Alta
“What’s the point of dialogue if both sides are stuck in their stubborn positions on trade and geopolitical issues?”
BuggaBoom
“It’s disheartening to see diplomatic language gloss over actions that have real economic consequences.”
Noir Black
“The superficial tone of this exchange ignores the grim reality of the unresolved trade war.”
Eugene Alta
“These exchanges can foster trust and potentially lead to more balanced and fair trade policies.”
KittyKat
“It’s encouraging to see China and the US making an effort to keep communication channels open.”
Rotfront
“Good to see serious leaders are willing to address the challenges rather than escalating conflicts.”
ZmeeLove
“Dialogue won’t fix the imbalanced power dynamics or the tariffs that are hurting businesses on both sides.”
Muchacho
“If both sides truly wanted to resolve issues, they’d address the tariffs head-on instead of resorting to vague exchanges.”
Coccinella
“Even in turbulent times, maintaining an open dialogue can pave the way for long-lasting stability.”
Mariposa
“It’s refreshing to see high-level officials prioritizing cooperation over confrontation.”
Muchacha
“Both nations acknowledging the importance of economic ties is a hopeful sign for future negotiations.”
Bella Ciao
“Appreciate that despite disagreements, both sides are interested in regular communication.”
Comandante
“Both countries are just talking past each other – the unresolved disputes speak louder than this call.”