China and US reach initial consensus in Paris talks as trade disputes persist
發佈日期: 2026-03-17 20:07
TVB News
Senior officials from China and the US have concluded two days of trade talks in Paris.
Chinese representative Li Chenggang says both sides reached preliminary consensus on some issues.
Meeting the press on Monday, Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang, who's also China's International Trade Representative in the Paris trade talks says discussions between China and the US were in-depth, candid and constructive.
He says preliminary consensus has been made on "some issues," with both sides having agreed to continue negotiations and work towards maintaining stable bilateral economic relations.
In the Paris talks, the Chinese delegation also made solemn representations to the United States over their Section 301 investigations that target 16 trading partners including China on the grounds of so-called "overcapacity" -- as well as probes into 60 economies including China and Hong Kong over alleged "forced labour."
Li stresses Beijing maintains its opposition to unilateral measures, warning such actions could undermine hard-won stability in bilateral trade ties between China and the US.
China's lead negotiator, Vice Premier He Lifeng, also urged the United States to remove unilateral tariffs and other restrictive measures, stressing China will take necessary actions to defend its legitimate rights.
Meanwhile, US lead negotiator, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, also described the meeting as constructive, revealing that discussions encompassed rare earth exports and US agricultural purchases.
SCOTT BESSENT US Treasury Secretary: "They were constructive and they show the stability in the relationship. It is a continuation of Kuala Lumpur, the Busan agreement that was reached with our leaders to continue our work streams."
