China Positively Assesses Recent Trade Consultations With US – Commerce Ministry

China is optimistic about the outcome of this week’s trade consultations with the United States, the Ministry of Commerce said on Saturday, adding that Beijing and Washington were preparing for a new high-level round of talks.

On late Friday, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s office described recent talks at the deputy minister level as productive.

"The Chinese and US negotiating teams on trade and economic issues held consultations at the level of deputy ministers on 19-20 September, the parties constructively discussed trade and economic issues of mutual interest", the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

The parties also discussed preparations for the 13th round of high-level trade negotiations and agreed to maintain further contacts on the issue.

The trade row between the world’s two largest economies erupted in June 2018 when the United States imposed the first round of additional trade duties on China prompting Beijing to respond in kind. Since then, the sides have exchanged several rounds of duties and engaged in talks to settle their disagreements.

Earlier in September, President Donald Trump said the United States would delay imposing an additional five percent tariff on $250 billion worth of Chinese imports until 15 October.