U.S. Trade Representative: Trade Talks Between America and China Paved the Way for a "Productive Meeting" Between Presidents Trump and Xi Jinping

SadaNews - The chief trade envoy for Washington in Kuala Lumpur said on Sunday that trade talks between the United States and China have paved the way for a "productive meeting" between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, raising hopes for an agreement between the world’s two largest economies.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Treasury Secretary Scott Bansant met with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on the sidelines of the ASEAN meeting during a fifth round of in-person discussions since May, as both sides seek to ease the trade war.

Greer stated upon exiting the talks ahead of his meeting with Trump, "I believe we have reached a point where the two leaders will have a very productive meeting."

A spokesperson for the U.S. Treasury told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday that the two-day talks aimed at avoiding escalating the trade war have concluded.

Both sides are looking to avoid further escalation in their trade war after Trump threatened to impose new 100% tariffs on Chinese goods and other trade restrictions starting November 1st in response to China expanding export controls on critical commodities, including rare earth metals.

Constructive Talks

On Saturday, a U.S. Treasury official stated that the trade discussions between the U.S. and China in Kuala Lumpur were "constructive" on their first day, with expectations to resume tomorrow morning.

He added that both sides exchanged views on recent trade measures and agreed to continue technical discussions regarding adjustments to tariffs and enhancing supply chain resilience.

The U.S. delegation stressed the importance of providing equal opportunities for American companies, emphasizing that any future trade framework must be "fair and enforceable."

Senior economic officials from the U.S. and China held talks in Kuala Lumpur yesterday in an effort to avoid escalating their trade war and arrange a meeting between Trump and his Chinese counterpart.

Officials will attempt to pave the way for Trump and Xi to meet next Thursday at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea.

Before the talks began, Trump left Washington to kick off an Asian tour and stated that he wishes to discuss several issues with Xi. Trump's tour lasts five days and includes Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, marking his first visit to the region and his longest overseas trip since taking office last January.

Source: Agencies