China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed this Thursday that Vice Minister and international negotiator, Li Chenggang, will soon travel to Washington to meet with U.S. officials, amid a tariff truce that both countries decided to maintain for another three months.
Ministerial spokesperson He Yinqian indicated today at a press conference that the goal is to “make good use of the bilateral economic and trade consultation mechanism, resolve differences through dialogue on an equal footing, and jointly safeguard a healthy and stable development” of economic ties.
Li’s visit comes after weeks of relative calm in the trade dispute between the world’s two major economies, after Washington and Beijing agreed to extend the suspension of new tariffs for 90 days.
However, tensions persist, particularly due to technological restrictions and the threat this Monday by US President Donald Trump to impose 200% tariffs on strategic Chinese products, such as rare earth magnets.
Li Chenggang, 57, was appointed in April as an international negotiator with ministerial rank and Vice Minister of Commerce.
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According to an analyst cited by Bloomberg last Tuesday, Li’s trip will focus on trade and tariffs above other bilateral issues of interest such as technological restrictions or the fentanyl crisis, and will also serve to pave the way for a possible summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Trump.
Before departing for the United States, Li led a delegation to Canada between August 24 and 27, where he co-chaired the 28th meeting of the Joint Committee on Economy and Trade with Canadian Deputy Minister David Stewart.
According to the official Xinhua agency, both sides held “frank and constructive exchanges” on strengthening cooperation and resolving mutual concerns.
