US and Chinese Trade Ministers Promise Further Talks Next Year

(Patria) - The United States and China plan further talks on commercial issues next year, the US Department of Commerce said, AFP reported.

The announcement followed a summit between US and Chinese Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping this week on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo spoke with her Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao on Thursday, following the Biden-Xi talks, about the commercial relations between the two countries.

"During the meeting, the two discussed the progress made within the commercial issues working group and planned to hold an in-person meeting in early 2024," the Commerce Department statement said.

The sides will hold technical talks on strengthening trade secret protection during negotiations in January.

Tensions between the world's two largest economies have risen in recent years as the sides clashed over issues ranging from human rights to export controls.

Washington says export restrictions, aimed at reducing China's access to advanced chips critical for developing artificial intelligence and cutting-edge weapons, are a national security measure. Beijing has dismissed those concerns, and Xi told Biden this week that such actions harm "China's legitimate interests."

"Secretary Raimondo also emphasized that national security protection is non-negotiable," the Commerce Department statement said, adding that US controls are not designed to curb China's growth.