China-US Trade Talks: Meeting follows months of actions, threats
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What prompted the US to come to China for these talks and what can we expect from the meeting? Our reporter Zou Yun finds out.
There are significant implications for the world's 2 largest economies to iron out the ongoing trade tensions.
In the past few months, trade frictions between China and the US continue. The Trump administration has threatened to impose tariffs on up to 150 billion US dollars of Chinese imports, while China has vowed to retaliate against US exports if the Trump administration moves forward with the tariffs.
One expert says that a major reason Trump is sending delegation to China is because of his "America Firstpolicies", which are not only facing criticisms in the US, but also around the world.
LIU MINGLI DEPUTY DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF EUROPEAN STUDIES CHINA INSTITUTES OF CONTEMPORARY INT'L RELATIONS "For example, Europe Union just launched a statement about the US' extension of exemption of steel and aluminium tariffs against EU. US has extended the exemption, but the EU seems not satisfied with these issue. EU is putting a lot of pressure on US which means American first policies is troubled at the international level."
The members of the US delegation were announced earlier this week, which includes US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Experts say the high-profile group not only reflects the great importance the US government is placing on the trade talks, but also the Trump administration's various stances on China.
ANDY MOK CGTN COMMENTATOR & FORMER RAND CORP RESEARCHER "When we look at the composition of the delegation coming here to negotiate, I think we can interpret this as a bureaucratic turf battle in that all of the factions in the Trump administration want a seat at the table. We of course have Peter Navarro, who's an extreme China hawk, Larry Kudlow, who is more of a classic republican free trader, and Steven Mnuchin, who's more in the camp of engaging with China. So I think every faction sees the importance of the question and wants a seat at the table, and voice in these discussions."
Trade tensions and market access are expected to be among the key issues during the discussions.
China's Foreign Ministry said one day ahead of the meeting that China welcomes the move and said as long as the US is sincere, both sides can have constructive trade talks.
ZOU YUN BEIJING "Some experts say for issues as complicated as this, its hard to come up with specific and concrete measures within just couple of days. But what's important is the tone the meeting will set -- and that will lay the foundation for future economic ties between China and US. ZY, CGTN, BJ."