Launching a new round of economic and trade negotiations with the United States? Chinese response

US Trade Representative Greer stated during the Davos Forum in Switzerland that a new round of trade negotiations between China and the United States may begin before the possible April summit. At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Commerce on January 29th, spokesperson He Yongqian stated that "China is willing to work with the United States to maintain and implement the important consensus between the two heads of state, make good use of the China US economic and trade consultation mechanism, manage differences, promote cooperation, and promote stable, healthy, and sustainable development of China US economic and trade relations

At last week's press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that "there is currently no information that can be provided" regarding the US President's visit to China. However, he emphasized that the stable development of Sino US relations is in line with the common interests of the two peoples and the common expectations of the international community. The diplomacy of the head of state plays an irreplaceable leading role in the relationship between China and the United States.

According to Xinhua News Agency, He Lifeng, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, was invited to hold talks on the China US Economic and Trade Consultation Mechanism with US Treasury Secretary Bessent during his attendance at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. Bloomberg reviewed that prior to this informal meeting, the two had initiated a series of negotiation processes in Geneva in May last year, followed by multiple rounds of talks in London, Stockholm, Madrid, and Kuala Lumpur, ultimately reaching a trade "ceasefire" agreement. Greer told reporters on the 20th of this month that the next round of discussions between China and the United States may avoid some highly sensitive issues.

He Yongqian stated that in 2025, under the strategic guidance of the heads of state of China and the United States, both sides uphold the spirit of equality, respect, and mutual benefit, and have conducted five rounds of economic and trade consultations, achieving a series of positive results, fully proving that through equal dialogue and consultation, China and the United States can find solutions to their economic and trade differences. After the Busan summit between the two heads of state, the two sides maintained continuous communication at all levels through the China US economic and trade consultation mechanism, jointly promoting the implementation of important consensus reached at the summit and the results of the Kuala Lumpur economic and trade consultation.

On the 29th, Zhou Wei, a researcher at the Research Institute of the Ministry of Commerce, told Global Times reporters that there are still some differences and frictions in the economic and trade relations between China and the United States that have not been resolved, such as the fentanyl tariff, high-tech product export controls, and investment restrictions on China; The issues of concern to the US may include the export of agricultural products such as soybeans to China, so further negotiations are necessary. In addition, both sides can also eliminate uncertainties in their economic and trade relations through face-to-face consultations, and further promote cooperation in their economic and trade relations. However, consultations and negotiations should be based on mutual respect, with the aim of achieving mutual benefit, working together to promote stable, healthy, and sustainable bilateral economic and trade relations.