China has called for trade talks with the United States to be conducted on equal terms, with Beijing saying both sides should use dialogue to manage their differences as tensions deepen between the world’s two largest economies.
Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said in Beijing that he hoped the two countries could move in the same direction and resolve their problems through discussion. He added that officials from both sides were in close contact under the guidance of their leaders.
The comments came as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepared for talks at the G20 summit in Buenos Aires next week. The meeting is being closely watched because trade relations have become increasingly strained.
Washington has pressed Beijing to open its markets further, strengthen intellectual property protections for U.S. companies, reduce industrial subsidies, and narrow a $375 billion trade gap. Trump has already imposed tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese imports in an effort to win concessions.
The tariff rate on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods is scheduled to rise to 25 percent from 10 percent on Jan. 1. Trump has also threatened duties on the remaining Chinese imports, about $267 billion more in goods, if Beijing does not meet U.S. demands.
Trump said on Thursday that he hoped to reach a deal when he meets Xi. Speaking in Palm Beach, Florida, he said:
“I can say this, China wants to make a deal very badly - because of the tariffs,”
and added:
“China wants to make a deal; if we can make a deal, we will,”
The talks are taking place against a backdrop of hardening positions in Washington. On Tuesday, the U.S. said China had not changed the “unfair” practices at the center of the trade dispute, following an update to the U.S. Trade Representative’s Section 301 investigation into China’s intellectual property and technology transfer policies.
China rejected the accusation and urged Washington to stop what it called provocations. The commerce ministry said on Thursday that it was deeply concerned by the report issued by the U.S. administration this week.
Separately, the U.S. government on Monday proposed tighter scrutiny of technology exports in 14 high-tech areas, including artificial intelligence and microprocessor technology. Many analysts see the move as aimed directly at China.
A 30-day public consultation period on the proposal is under way and is due to end on Dec. 19, according to a document published in the U.S. government’s Federal Register.
