Soybean Photo: VCG

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Thursday stressed the importance of subnational economic and trade cooperation to bilateral trade relations, urging the US to eliminate unwarranted tariffs to facilitate bilateral trade.  

Spokesperson He Yadong made the remarks at a regular press conference when asked to brief the details of a meeting between Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice minister of commerce, with a delegation of political and business leaders from the US Midwest and about whether the meeting showed that China will buy soybeans from the region. 

Subnational economic and trade cooperation is an indispensable part of China-US economic and trade ties, and an important platform and channel for strengthening bilateral economic and trade exchanges. On soybean trade, the US should take positive action to remove unreasonable tariffs, and create conditions for expanding bilateral trade, injecting more stability and certainty into the global economy, said He.

Li met with a delegation of political and business leaders from the US Midwest on Monday, and the two sides exchanged views on China-US economic and trade relations and sub-national cooperation, a statement on the ministry's official website said on Tuesday, without elaboration. 

Also at the same press conference, when asked to provide more information on the progress of negotiations as US Ambassador to China David Perdue reportedly said negotiations on the agreement regarding a deal between Boeing and China are in their final stages, He said that the essence of China-US economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win, with broad common interests and vast room for cooperation.

The biggest obstacle to normal economic and trade cooperation between China and the US at present lies in US unilateral restrictions. It is hoped that the US will work with China in the same direction to create favorable conditions for the stable, sound and sustainable development of bilateral economic and trade relations, said the spokesperson. 

The two-day China-US economic and trade talks concluded in Madrid on September 15, where the Chinese and US delegations engaged in candid, in-depth and constructive communication, the Xinhua News Agency reported.  

Global Times