The US and China Agree to Hold New Trade Negotiations

On the second day of Gina Raimondo's visit to Beijing, US and Chinese officials expressed hope for positive economic relations between the two sides. Chinese Premier Li Qiang told Raimondo, "A healthy economic relationship and trade cooperation will benefit not only both countries but the whole world." The US Secretary of Commerce also stated that Washington seeks to maintain trade relations with China and hopes that these relations "can bring stability to overall relations." Raimondo also referred to global concerns such as climate change and fentanyl addiction, stating that the US wants to work with China "as two global powers" to do what is right for humanity. She added, "The world expects us to work harder together to solve these problems." Earlier on Tuesday, during a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, she emphasized that US national interests take priority and that Washington does not seek economic separation from Beijing. In this meeting, He Lifeng also expressed that China wants to work on "new and positive efforts to maintain economic consensus and increase cooperation." On Monday, the US and China agreed to hold two separate negotiations to reduce misunderstandings regarding US security issues and Washington's strict control over technology exports to China. Raimondo also mentioned after her meeting on Monday with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao that the two countries will establish a working group consisting of trade representatives to address trade issues and a government information exchange center aimed at addressing export control issues. She told Wang Wentao that the Biden administration seeks healthy competition with China and that adherence of China's growing economy to international laws would benefit both countries. Wang Wentao also stated that China is ready to cooperate with the US to create "a more favorable policy environment for stronger cooperation between our businesses aimed at strengthening bilateral trade and investment in a stable and predictable manner." US officials have repeatedly referred to China as the biggest challenge facing the country internationally. Major disputes between the US and China include Taiwan, human rights issues especially in Xinjiang and Tibet, and Beijing's assertiveness in the South China Sea. An American official stated that Beijing's hostile actions in the South China Sea must be responded to. The US, Japan, and Australia are conducting military exercises in the South China Sea. The US has reacted to China's military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, urging Beijing to stop pressuring Taiwan. The roles of Russia, China, and the Islamic Republic in misleading public opinion using artificial intelligence have also been noted. China condemned the short visit of Taiwan's Vice President to the US. An executive order from Joe Biden limits US investment in "specific technologies" in China.