China VP Wang says Beijing ready for US talks, work for trade solutions

Trump has threatened to impose further tariffs on $267 billion of Chinese imports into the US if the two countries cannot reach an agreement on trade, ahead of his expected meeting with Xi Jinping later this month.

By: Reuters | Singapore | Published: November 6, 2018 12:30:51 pm

China VP Wang says Beijing ready for US talks, work for trade solutions

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan (Photo via AP/File)

China is ready to hold discussions and work with the United States to resolve trade disputes because the world’s two largest economies stand to lose from confrontation, Vice President Wang Qishan said on Tuesday.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to impose further tariffs on $267 billion of Chinese imports into the United States if the two countries cannot reach an agreement on trade, ahead of his expected meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month.

“Both China and the US would love to see greater trade and economic cooperation,” Wang told the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore.

“The Chinese side is ready to have discussions with the US on issues of mutual concern and work for a solution on trade acceptable to both sides,” he said.

“The world today faces many major problems that require close cooperation between China and the United States,” he said. “It is our firm belief that China and the US will both gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.”

Wang echoed comments by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday at a major trade expo that Beijing will embrace greater openness, amid mounting frictions with the United States.

Trump has railed against China for what he sees as intellectual property theft, entry barriers to U.S. business and a gaping trade deficit.

Wang said Beijing supports the settlement of international disputes via rules and consensus and stands against unilateralism and protectionism.

“Our relationship will have a direct impact on global stability and development,” he said.

“Trade and economic cooperation remain the anchor and propellor of a steady and healthy China-US relationship which is in essence mutually beneficial. China will stay calm and sober-minded, embrace greater openness and work for mutual benefit.”