In Washington, China’s top trade negotiator readies for talks

One of China’s top trade negotiators, Li Chenggang, will be meeting with relevant US officials this week while in Washington, the Ministry of Commerce has confirmed.

“China is willing to work with the United States to continue leveraging the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanisms effectively, resolve issues through equal dialogue and consultation, and jointly maintain the healthy, stable and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations,” ministry spokeswoman He Yongqian said on Thursday, after Li arrived in the US capital late on Wednesday.

A source familiar with his itinerary said Li’s meetings would take place on Thursday and Friday.

Since being appointed as China’s international trade representative and vice-minister of commerce in April, when US President Donald Trump’s renewed trade war began heating up, Li has participated in all three rounds of trade negotiations with the US – in Geneva, London and Stockholm – over the past four months, alongside Vice-Premier He Lifeng.

The commerce ministry spokeswoman did not specify with whom Li would be meeting in Washington. A spokesperson for the US government had said on Monday that Li might meet deputy-level US government officials, and that the visit was not part of a formal negotiating session.

Li’s trip to the US capital followed a four-day visit to Canada, ending on Wednesday, during which he held “candid, pragmatic and constructive” discussions with his Canadian counterpart on improving bilateral economic and trade relations, addressing each other’s economic and trade concerns, according to an earlier statement from the commerce ministry.