In response to foreign media reports that the United States has recently sent an invitation to China for consultations, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Gao Feng said on the 13th that China has indeed received the invitation from the United States and welcomes it. The two sides are communicating on some specific details.
Gao Feng said at a press conference held by the Ministry of Commerce that day that the Sino-US economic and trade consultation teams have been maintaining various forms of communication recently, and the two sides have exchanged views on issues of respective concerns. China believes that the escalation of trade conflicts is not in the interest of either party.
Earlier, the United States stated that it might impose additional tariffs on all Chinese products exported to the United States. Gao Feng responded by saying that the United States’ unilateral tariff increase will ultimately harm the interests of China, the United States and the people of the world. Ignoring the voices of the majority of industries and consumers, the United States continues to release information that may lead to the escalation of Sino-US trade friction. This blackmail and pressure approach does not work on China and does not help solve the problem.
Gao Feng expressed the hope that the United States will comply with public opinion, take pragmatic measures, and bring Sino-US economic and trade relations back to the normal track through equal and honest dialogue and consultation.
In addition, in response to the recent claims by the United States that it may sanction Chinese companies on the grounds of cyber attacks and theft of U.S. intellectual property rights, Gao Feng expressed the hope that the United States can treat Chinese companies’ commercial activities in the United States objectively and fairly, and not make excuses to pursue trade protectionism. An excuse to avoid causing companies from various countries, including Chinese companies, to lose confidence in the U.S. business environment. (Title: Ministry of Commerce: China has indeed received the invitation from the United States and the two sides are communicating on specific details)
Related links: The Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference (September 13, 2018)
