U.S. and Chinese deputy-level talks Thursday and Friday in Washington were labeled “positive” and “constructive” by both the U.S. and China in separate statements issued following the talks.
The sessions were “aimed at improving the trade relationship between the two countries,” the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) said in a statement. “These discussions were productive, and the United States looks forward to welcoming a delegation from China for principal-level meetings in October.”
The China Daily reported the talks “discussed the trade issues in a constructive way. Moreover, the two countries also talked the specific arrangements for the 13th round of China-U.S. high-level economic and trade consultations in Washington DC in October. The two sides agreed to maintain communication on relevant issues.” President Donald Trump declared Friday that the U.S. would not accept an interim agreement on trade as the U.S. is “looking for a complete deal.”
Speaking to reporters at a news conference Friday with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Trump said China’s offer to boost purchases of U.S. agriculture exports alone is not enough to compel his administration to sign a deal. Intellectual-property theft, he added, remains an issue that must be resolved.
As for the farm visits that were canceled, Han Jun, vice-minister at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said the canceled visit was due to a change in the itinerary of the team. "There was a good outcome from the negotiations in the agriculture area too. The two sides had thorough and candid communications," Han said, according to a report by state-backed Yicai news outlet.
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