President Joe Biden with President Xi Jinping
China’s commerce ministry spokesperson said on Thursday that China is looking forward to in-depth discussions with the US on resolving economic and trade issues when its commerce secretary, Gina Raimondo, visits next week.
Raimondo is scheduled to meet with government officials and business leaders in Beijing and Shanghai, the latest in a series of high-level visits aimed at reversing a downward trend in relations between the world’s two largest economies.
“We have noted that China and the United States have encountered some difficulties and challenges in bilateral trade and investment, which are related to the various trade protection measures adopted by the United States”, said Shu Jueting, the ministry spokesperson.
“China will continue to raise relevant economic and trade concerns with the U.S. and strive to create a fair and stable economic and trade environment”, Jueting added.
Last year, two-way trade reached a record $690 billion last year as U.S. demand for Chinese consumer goods increased, as did Chinese demand for U.S. farm products and energy, though economists attribute this figure to inflation.
However, two-way trade flows through June were down $67.6 billion, or 19.6%, from the first six months of 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
According to US officials, Raimondo will convey the message that the United States is not looking to decouple from China, but rather to safeguard its national security.
Raimondo recently met with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao, in May in Washington, when they sparred on trade, investment and export policies.
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