US and Chinese flags stand behind microphones at the US Embassy in Beijing on April 9, 2009.
Frederic J. Brown | AFP | beautiful pictures
US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo sat down with her Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao in Washington DC on Thursday to discuss “concerns” around bilateral trade.
Marking the first cabinet-level exchange between the two countries in months, the US talked about American companies operating in China.
According to a reading by Commercial Department“The two men had frank and substantive discussions on issues related to the US-China trade relationship, including the overall environment in both countries on trade and investment as well as other sectors. potential areas of cooperation.”
Raimondo also “raised concern over the recent series of attacks by the People’s Republic of China [People’s Republic of China] actions against US companies operating in China,” it said.
The bilateral exchange between Raimondo and Wang comes as market observers keep a close eye on whether the United States will restrict US investment in China, as relations between the world’s largest economies become more volatile. should go bad.
Group of Seven Leaders to meet Hiroshima over the weekend, vowing to “reduce risks and diversify” away from China’s dependence, adding that some of Beijing’s behavior has “distorted the global economy.” “.
High-level talks take place when China reports have conducted audits of US audit firms on the mainland for violating national security.
Earlier this week, China announced it would ban some purchases of products from the US memory chip manufacturer Micron — bans operators of “critical information infrastructure” in China after the Cyberspace Administration of China conducted a security review.
In response, a spokesperson for the US Department of Commerce said: “We firmly oppose restrictions that have no basis in fact.” He said the department would engage with the Chinese government to “detail” its position and seek clarity.
In the release published by Ministry of Commerce of China After meeting with Raimondo, Wang also expressed concern about US policies on semiconductors and export controls.
“The two sides have agreed to establish communication channels to maintain and strengthen exchanges on specific economic and trade cooperation and concerns,” the statement said.
Wang is expected to meet US Trade Representative Katherine Tai during his visit to the US, where he is expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting.
