China's Trade Relations with the US and EU: Ministry of Commerce addresses 9th round of trade talks with US

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02:06

China says it's making progress in efforts to resolve the trade dispute with the United States. And it's forged new economic agreements with the European Union. CGTN's Wang Hui spent Thursday at the Chinese Commerce Ministry and has this report.

More than a year after it began, China and the US appear closer than ever to ending their ongoing trade spat.

The 9th round of trade talks in Washington DC last week saw discussions from both sides on intellectual property rights protection, non-tariff measures, trade balance and more.

Chinese Commerce Ministry Spokesman Gao Feng says more positive negotiations are on the way.

GAO FENG, SPOKESMAN CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY "The leaders of the two teams spoke by phone after the face-to-face talks, discussing the remaining issues. Both sides intend to keep this effective communication going."

While smoothing out trade friction with the US, China is also strengthening economic ties with the European Union. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has just wrapped up the China-EU leaders' meeting in Brussels, Belgium. Gao highlighted several achievements during the trip.

GAO FENG, SPOKESMAN CHINESE COMMERCE MINISTRY "The two sides will firmly support a multi-lateral trading system based on the rules surrounding the World Trade Organization. We will fight unilateralism and protectionism. We will also facilitate WTO reform."

Gao says officials will also strengthen the interconnection between Europe and Asia, in transportation, energy, digitization and people exchanges. Their commitments also include broader, more convenient, and non-discriminatory market accesses. They aim to complete negotiations on the China-EU Investment treaty by the end of this year.

WANG HUI BEIJING "China and the EU agree that the two sides will strengthen cooperation in trade and investment based on the principles of openness, non-discrimination, fair competition, transparency and mutual-benefits. Wang Hui, CGTN, Beijing."