First US-China Commercial Working Group Talks Tariffs, Export Controls

American and Chinese officials discussed tariffs, export controls and market access issues during the April 2-5 first meetings of the U.S.-China Commercial Issues Working Group, both countries said in readouts after the talks.

China’s Commerce Ministry said its vice minister, Wang Shouwen, and Marisa Lago, head of the International Trade Administration, held “rational, professional and pragmatic communication on business and trade policy issues of mutual concern.” China also said it voiced its objections to U.S. Section 301 tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as “related Section 301 investigation applications, generalization of national security, sanctions on Chinese companies, revision of trade remedy investigation rules, two-way investment restrictions, unfair treatment of Chinese companies, etc.”

The U.S. and China also agreed to “give full play to the role of the export control information exchange mechanism and strengthen communication in the field of export control,” China’s ministry said, according to an unofficial translation. The two sides announced a new pathway to exchange information on export control enforcement, along with the broader Commercial Issues Working Group, last year (see 2308280042).

ITA said both the U.S. and China discussed issues that have been “raised by the business communities of both countries,” including market access issues hurting U.S. companies and “overcapacity in a range of Chinese industrial sectors.” The agency said the two sides ended the meetings by identifying “specific areas of cooperation,” including involving “technical exchanges of trade remedies authorities, and expanded subnational engagement in trade promotion.”

Lago also “reaffirmed the goal of working towards a healthy trade and investment relationship with China that benefits U.S. workers and businesses, while underscoring that the United States will not negotiate on issues related to U.S. national security.”

While in the U.S., China said, Wang also visited with officials from the White House’s National Economic Council, the Treasury Department, DHS and the Commerce Department, and he had “extensive exchanges” with U.S. industry officials and think tanks.