US and China cite progress in trade war negotiations during phone call
- Chinese commerce ministry cites ‘consensus on principles’ after Vice-Premier Liu He speaks with USTR’s Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin
- US side cites ‘progress in a variety of areas’
The US and China moved closer to a trade agreement on a Friday evening phone call between the two countries’ top negotiators, according to statements from both sides.
Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He, speaking with US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin “reached consensus on principles” concerning their 17-month trade war, China’s commerce ministry said, without specifying which ones.
“The two sides conducted serious and constructive discussions on properly addressing their core concerns,” the ministry added in its brief statement.
Meanwhile, USTR said in a statement that the two sides “made progress in a variety of areas and are in the process of resolving outstanding issues”, also without elaborating on which areas or issues were discussed.
“Discussions will continue at the deputy level,” it said.
China’s Minister of Commerce Zhong Shan, Governor of the People’s Bank of China Yi Gang, and the deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission Ning Jizhen were also on the call, the ministry said, adding “the two sides discussed the next consultations”.
