China has expressed “serious concern” over recent economic and trade restrictions imposed by the United States, as tensions between the world’s two largest economies threaten to unsettle a fragile trade truce.
China’s Vice Premier and top trade official, He Lifeng, raised the concerns during a video call on Thursday with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, according to China’s state news agency, Xinhua.
The discussions come amid renewed friction between Beijing and Washington, months after both countries reached a temporary trade truce following a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump in October last year.
Relations have come under fresh pressure in recent weeks following new measures by Washington targeting China and other countries.
Beijing last week condemned additional US tariffs imposed on China and 59 other countries over alleged forced labour concerns, warning the United States against taking steps that could reignite a broader trade war.
China also accused Washington on Wednesday of attempting to “suppress” Chinese companies after the United States moved to ban imports of humanoid and quadruped robots manufactured abroad.
According to Xinhua, Thursday’s video meeting between the Chinese and US officials was “candid, in-depth and constructive.”
The two sides reportedly discussed ways to maintain stable economic and trade relations while working to address outstanding concerns and manage areas of disagreement in the next phase of their engagement.
The latest development highlights the continuing uncertainty surrounding the US-China trade relationship, despite efforts by both governments to prevent tensions from escalating into another major trade confrontation.
During Trump’s visit to Beijing in May, the US president invited Xi to visit the United States in September. However, the proposed visit has yet to be officially confirmed.
