China, US agree on trade framework after talks
China, US agree on trade framework after talks
Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent pose for photos on Monday during trade discussions in London. Photo: AFP
Top officials from China and the United States said on Tuesday that they had agreed on a framework to move forward on trade, following two days of high-level talks in London.
Speaking to reporters, China's international trade representative and vice minister of commerce, Li Chenggang said: "Our communication has been very professional, rational, in-depth and candid."
"The two sides have, in principle, reached a framework for implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state during the phone call on June 5th and the consensus reached at the Geneva meeting," Li told reporters.
Li expressed hope that progress made in London would help boost trust on both sides.
He was speaking following the first meeting of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism held in London.
Vice Premier He Lifeng headed his country's team in London, which included Li and Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Both sides do not yet have another gathering scheduled.
In a separate briefing, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters that the framework puts "meat on the bones" of a deal reached last month in Geneva.
"We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents," Lutnick said.
"The idea is we're going to go back and speak to President Trump and make sure he approves it. They're going to go back and speak to President Xi and make sure he approves it, and if that is approved, we will then implement the framework."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who led the US delegation with Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, left early to return to Washington for testimony before Congress.
China is also in talks with partners including Japan and South Korea to try to build a united front countering US President Donald Trump's tariffs. (Agencies)
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