Farm products cast a cloud over next US-China trade talks
- As negotiators prepare for renewed face-to-face talks, a deal on agriculture looms as next contentious issue
- Chinese foreign ministry says any agreement must be based on ‘equality and mutual respect’
China and the US have yet to reach a consensus on Chinese imports of US farm goods, casting a cloud over the upcoming face-to-face talks between the two sides’ top negotiators.
The first direct contact between the two sides’ leading trade negotiators since the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping last month in Osaka, Japan was initiated by the US, according to Chinese state media reports.
It took the form of a telephone conversation between China’s Vice-Premier Liu He, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
Also joining the call was Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan in his first direct participation in the long-distance dialogue.
Zhong’s presence raised speculation that the US was anxious to confirm China’s commitment to purchase American farm products ahead of the formal resumption of trade talks. On Tuesday, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow confirmed the US’s desire for a quick agreement on agricultural goods when he spoke at an event hosted by CNBC.
