China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao expressed concerns over U.S. curbs on semiconductor exports to China, as well as sanctions on Chinese firms and tariffs on Chinese imports, during a meeting with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in San Francisco on Thursday.

It was the first ministerial-level talk after both countries agreed to set up an exchange mechanism during Raimondo's earlier trip to China in August.

According to a Chinese commerce ministry statement, both countries conducted in-depth talks that were "pragmatic, constructive and fruitful" relating to China-U.S. economic and trade relations and other issues of common concern.

Wang told Raimondo during the meeting that the U.S.' politicization and overstretching of the concept of "national security" affects normal trade and investment exchanges between the two countries.

Wang added that it is important that both countries discuss the boundaries between national security concerns and trade and economic cooperation.

Both expressed appreciation in regard to the positive progress made by the two government commerce counterparts and discussed issues of concern that were specific to enterprises in both countries.

Wang and Raimondo also agreed to hold the first meeting of a commerce working group at the vice-minister level in the first quarter of 2024.

(Cover: China's Ministry of Commerce website)