KABUL (Pajhwok): China and the United States have discussed tariff reductions, agricultural trade and other economic issues at their first trade council meeting, China’s Commerce Ministry said on Saturday, ahead of an expected meeting between their leaders next week, Reuters reported.
The two sides held “candid, in-depth and constructive” discussions on implementing the outcomes of previous economic and trade talks, including tariffs, a proposed reciprocal tariff-cut arrangement worth $30 billion for each side, and agricultural trade, the ministry said in a statement.
It did not say whether the meeting resulted in any agreements. The ministry added that both sides would continue using the council to address trade concerns, expand cooperation and resolve outstanding issues.
Following a September summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, the two countries proposed a reciprocal tariff-reduction package worth $60 billion.
The plan included about $17 billion in US agricultural products imported by China in 2024, but it has yet to be finalised.
However, Chinese purchases of US agricultural products other than soybeans are on course to reach a seven-year low this year, despite an agreement for Beijing to buy $17 billion worth of US farm goods annually through 2028, a Reuters analysis of customs data showed earlier this month.
The report highlighted continued uncertainty over the trade commitment.
Beijing has repeatedly urged Washington to implement the $60 billion tariff-reduction package, describing it as a prerequisite for increasing Chinese purchases of US agricultural products.
The White House said Trump would meet Xi on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Shenzhen, China.
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