High-level trade talks between China and US kick off in London
9 June 2025 17:59
LONDON (dpa)Businesses and policymakers are watching closely as high-level trade talks between the United States and China began in London on Monday, with hopes of defusing tensions between the world's largest economies.China has dispatched Vice Premier He Lifeng for the negotiations while the United States is to be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.Chinese state media reported the talks kicked off on Monday afternoon.A spokesperson for the British government confirmed only that the meeting will take place in the UK and that the country "welcomes the dialogue."Issues up for discussion are likely to include US restrictions on the sale of high-tech products to China, and China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, where it dominates the global market.US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the meeting in a phone call on Thursday.It is the first since a meeting in Switzerland in May when tariffs on both sides were cut back considerably.According to Trump, the talks will focus on the details of the May trade agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called on China to keep its side of the agreement to pave the way for a more comprehensive deal.Following the phone call between the two presidents, China has also called on the US to stick to the agreement, while refraining from criticism.
Beijing has urged the US to evaluate objectively the progress made and withdraw negative measures directed at China.
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"It is quite clear that the allegation is serious and if the UK is committed to maintaining a system based on the rule of law with full respect for the state's international treaty obligations it should open an investigation and if the evidence supports it, bring charges," Cadman told MEE. Could Cameron be prosecuted outside the UK? But Vasiliev suggested that Cameron's prosecution before the courts of other states would be precluded by his functional immunity - the protection granted to senior officials if an alleged offence was committed during their official duties. "Cameron has a functional immunity for that act as he uttered those threats in the exercise of his official functions, and there is no exception to such immunity applicable in foreign courts for offences against the integrity of judicial system," Vasiliev argued. "The prosecution authorities of other states parties therefore will not eagerly pursue such a case."
