As the United States and China step up attempts to ease tensions between them, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will visit Beijing and Shanghai next week.

The visit announced on Tuesday is one among a slew of US officials dispatched to China in recent months.

<h2>US, China at loggerheads</h2>

The two nations have been at loggerheads over everything, from trade to human rights and Taiwan, reports AFP.

Relations between the world's largest economies have plummeted to some of their worst levels in decades. Topping the long list of disagreements between them are the United States's trade curbs, which Washington says are crucial to safeguarding its national security. China, however, views them as a limitation on its global rise.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-compares-devastating-maui-wildfire-to-a-small-house-fire-from-2004-tells-survivors-i-can-relate-628094">Biden compares devastating Maui wildfire to a small house-fire from 2004, tells survivors 'I can relate'</a>

As per a US Department of Commerce statement, "Secretary Raimondo looks forward to constructive discussions on issues relating to the US-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by US businesses, and areas for potential cooperation."

Confirming the visit, China said that the US Commerce Secretary has been invited by her Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao.

During her August 27-30 trip, Raimondo will travel to both Beijing and Shanghai, said Washington. Her visit will reportedly build on an agreement between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.&nbsp;

Last year, the two leaders had agreed "to deepen communication between the US and the PRC on a range of issues."

<h2>Trip agenda</h2>

Speaking to reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Raimondo will carry the message that the US is not seeking to decouple from China but rather to "de-risk", which means that Washington only seeks to protect its national security.

"Contrary to claims by some voices in China that we are seeking to slow down China's economy or weaken China's economic growth, that's just not the case," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-is-xi-jinping-chinese-leaders-unusual-absence-at-brics-business-forum-raises-eyebrows-628067">Where is Xi Jinping?&nbsp;Chinese leader's unusual absence&nbsp;at BRICS Business Forum raises eyebrows</a>

"A stable Chinese economy is a good thing for the world," remarked Sullivan.

Previously, in June, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Beijing. During the trip, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the aftermath of the visit, he said that progress had been made on a number of key sources of contention.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

As the United States and China step up attempts to ease tensions between them, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will visit Beijing and Shanghai next week. The visit announced on Tuesday is one among a slew of US officials dispatched to China in recent months.

As the United States and China step up attempts to ease tensions between them, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will visit Beijing and Shanghai next week. The visit announced on Tuesday is one among a slew of US officials dispatched to China in recent months. US, China at loggerheads The two nations have been at loggerheads over everything, from trade to human rights and Taiwan, reports AFP. Relations between the world's largest economies have plummeted to some of their worst levels in decades. Topping the long list of disagreements between them are the United States's trade curbs, which Washington says are crucial to safeguarding its national security. China, however, views them as a limitation on its global rise. Also read | Biden compares devastating Maui wildfire to a small house-fire from 2004, tells survivors 'I can relate' As per a US Department of Commerce statement, "Secretary Raimondo looks forward to constructive discussions on issues relating to the US-China commercial relationship, challenges faced by US businesses, and areas for potential cooperation." Confirming the visit, China said that the US Commerce Secretary has been invited by her Chinese counterpart, Wang Wentao. During her August 27-30 trip, Raimondo will travel to both Beijing and Shanghai, said Washington. Her visit will reportedly build on an agreement between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Last year, the two leaders had agreed "to deepen communication between the US and the PRC on a range of issues." Trip agenda Speaking to reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that Raimondo will carry the message that the US is not seeking to decouple from China but rather to "de-risk", which means that Washington only seeks to protect its national security. "Contrary to claims by some voices in China that we are seeking to slow down China's economy or weaken China's economic growth, that's just not the case," he said. Also read | Where is Xi Jinping? Chinese leader's unusual absence at BRICS Business Forum raises eyebrows "A stable Chinese economy is a good thing for the world," remarked Sullivan. Previously, in June, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken travelled to Beijing. During the trip, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In the aftermath of the visit, he said that progress had been made on a number of key sources of contention. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US secretary of commerce to travel to China next week, to focus on US-China commercial relationship

As US and Chinese officials began talks in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-talks-in-alaska-us-sanctions-chinese-and-hong-kong-officials-371076">Alaska</a> for the first time under the Biden administration, China top diplomat Yang Jiechi threatened "firm actions" against "US interference".

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-not-holding-high-expectations-from-us-china-in-person-talks-371529/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"China is firmly opposed to US interference in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadians-to-stand-trial-in-china-for-spying-what-we-know-371488">China's</a> internal affairs, we have expressed our staunch opposition to such interference and we will take firm actions in response," Jiechi who is the director of the Chinese Communist Party's central foreign affairs commission official said.&nbsp;

"What we need to do is to abandon the Cold War mentality, and the zero sum game approach" Jiechi added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hit back saying China's actions "threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability" during the meeting in Anchorage.

Blinken said the US will discuss "deep concerns with actions by China, including Xinjiang",&nbsp;"genocide" against Uyghur Muslims including dialogue on "Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks on the United States, economic coercion toward our allies."&nbsp;

Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, "This is not supposed to be the way one should welcome his guests" as the two sides clashed openly in face-to-face talks.

Yang lashed out at the US delegation, saying: "The United States uses its military force and financial hegemony to carry out long arm jurisdiction and suppress other countries, it abuses so-called notions of national security to obstruct normal trade exchanges, and incite some countries to attack China."

"Let me say here that in front of the Chinese side, the United States does not have the qualification to say that it wants to speak to China from a position of strength," Yang said, adding, "the US&nbsp;side was not even qualified to say such things, even 20 years or 30 years back, because this is not the way to deal with the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/three-chinese-telecom-firms-face-threat-to-work-in-us-as-regulator-begins-probe-371444">Chinese</a> people."

The United States accused the Chinese diplomatic leaders of "grandstanding" while focussing on "public theatrics and dramatics over substance".

As US and Chinese officials began talks in Alaska for the first time under the Biden administration, China top diplomat Yang Jiechi threatened "firm actions" against "US interference".

As US and Chinese officials began talks in Alaska for the first time under the Biden administration, China top diplomat Yang Jiechi threatened "firm actions" against "US interference". Watch: "China is firmly opposed to US interference in China's internal affairs, we have expressed our staunch opposition to such interference and we will take firm actions in response," Jiechi who is the director of the Chinese Communist Party's central foreign affairs commission official said. "What we need to do is to abandon the Cold War mentality, and the zero sum game approach" Jiechi added. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hit back saying China's actions "threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability" during the meeting in Anchorage. Blinken said the US will discuss "deep concerns with actions by China, including Xinjiang", "genocide" against Uyghur Muslims including dialogue on "Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks on the United States, economic coercion toward our allies." Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, "This is not supposed to be the way one should welcome his guests" as the two sides clashed openly in face-to-face talks. Yang lashed out at the US delegation, saying: "The United States uses its military force and financial hegemony to carry out long arm jurisdiction and suppress other countries, it abuses so-called notions of national security to obstruct normal trade exchanges, and incite some countries to attack China." "Let me say here that in front of the Chinese side, the United States does not have the qualification to say that it wants to speak to China from a position of strength," Yang said, adding, "the US side was not even qualified to say such things, even 20 years or 30 years back, because this is not the way to deal with the Chinese people." The United States accused the Chinese diplomatic leaders of "grandstanding" while focussing on "public theatrics and dramatics over substance".

'Abandon Cold War mentality': US, Chinese officials clash during talks in Alaska

As US and Chinese officials began talks in Alaska for the first time under the Biden administration, China top diplomat Yang Jiechi threatened "firm actions" against "US interference". However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hit back saying China's actions "threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability" during the meeting in Anchorage.

Meanwhile, amid a surge in coronavirus cases, France on Thursday announced limited lockdown in Paris and several other regions to combat the virus. French PN&nbsp;Jean Castex said there were increased threats due to a "third wave" with nearly 1,200 people in intensive care in the Paris region even as the British variant of the virus has been responsible for the most number of cases in recent weeks.

In the US, the contentious immigration bills were passed in the House of Representatives that would provide legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants. The House on Thursday voted to open a gateway to citizenship for young Dreamers and immigrants who have fled war or natural disasters abroad, giving Democrats a win in the year's first vote on an issue.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/abandon-cold-war-mentality-us-chinese-officials-spar-during-talks-in-alaska-371538">'Abandon Cold War mentality: US, Chinese officials spar during talks in Alaska</a>

<img alt="US, China talks" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="eac04061-ed39-483e-a943-aa65a01344eb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1_52.jpg" />

Blinken said the US will discuss "deep concerns with actions by China, including Xinjiang", "genocide" against Uyghur Muslims including dialogue on "Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks on the United States, economic coercion toward our allies."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-government-imposes-limited-lockdown-in-paris-amid-covid-19-variant-surge-371536">French government imposes limited lockdown in Paris amid COVID-19 variant surge</a>

<img alt="Paris lockdown" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="de4f7485-e2f9-43b7-850c-fbba2c156101" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/F1_0.jpg" />

French PM&nbsp;Jean Castex&nbsp;said there were increased threats due to a&nbsp;"third wave"&nbsp;with nearly 1,200 people in intensive care in the Paris region.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-divided-us-house-passes-immigration-bills-including-pathway-for-dreamers-371541">Divided US House passes immigration bills, including pathway for 'Dreamers'</a>

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5ff32357-3cec-4052-8cc8-9df3c3f5f638" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Pel1_1.jpg" />

The House on Thursday voted to open a gateway to citizenship for young Dreamers and immigrants who have fled war or natural disasters abroad, giving Democrats a win in the year's first vote on an issue.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gunmen-kill-13-police-in-ambush-in-central-mexico-371544">Gunmen kill 13 police in ambush in central Mexico</a>

<h1><img alt="Gunman in Mexico" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9cf9fe1d-aac1-4f73-b225-5b5abb32f3de" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/GG1.jpg" /></h1>

Armed gunmen killed at least eight Mexican police officials and five prosecution investigators in an ambush in the central State of Mexico on Thursday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pakistan-makes-another-peace-offer-to-india-371523">Watch:&nbsp;Pakistan makes another peace offer to India</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pakistan-makes-another-peace-offer-to-india-371523/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

As US and Chinese officials began talks in Alaska for the first time under the Biden administration, China top diplomat Yang Jiechi threatened "firm actions" against "US interference". However, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hit back saying China's actions "threaten the rules-based order that maintains global stability" during the meeting in Anchorage. Meanwhile, amid a surge in coronavirus cases, France on Thursday announced limited lockdown in Paris and several other regions to combat the virus. French PN Jean Castex said there were increased threats due to a "third wave" with nearly 1,200 people in intensive care in the Paris region even as the British variant of the virus has been responsible for the most number of cases in recent weeks. In the US, the contentious immigration bills were passed in the House of Representatives that would provide legal status for millions of undocumented immigrants. The House on Thursday voted to open a gateway to citizenship for young Dreamers and immigrants who have fled war or natural disasters abroad, giving Democrats a win in the year's first vote on an issue. Click on headlines to read more 'Abandon Cold War mentality: US, Chinese officials spar during talks in Alaska Blinken said the US will discuss "deep concerns with actions by China, including Xinjiang", "genocide" against Uyghur Muslims including dialogue on "Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyberattacks on the United States, economic coercion toward our allies." French government imposes limited lockdown in Paris amid COVID-19 variant surge French PM Jean Castex said there were increased threats due to a "third wave" with nearly 1,200 people in intensive care in the Paris region. Divided US House passes immigration bills, including pathway for 'Dreamers' The House on Thursday voted to open a gateway to citizenship for young Dreamers and immigrants who have fled war or natural disasters abroad, giving Democrats a win in the year's first vote on an issue. Gunmen kill 13 police in ambush in central Mexico Armed gunmen killed at least eight Mexican police officials and five prosecution investigators in an ambush in the central State of Mexico on Thursday. Watch: Pakistan makes another peace offer to India

Morning news brief: US, Chinese officials clash in Alaska, limited lockdown in Paris & more!

China on Friday said that it sensed a ''strong smell of gunpowder and drama''&nbsp;from talks with top American diplomats in Alaska, continuing the contentious tone of the first face-to-face meetings under the Biden administration.

The first high-level US-China&nbsp;meeting of the Biden administration got off to a fiery start on Thursday&nbsp;in Achorage with both sides levelling sharp rebukes of the others' policies in a rare public display that underscored the level of bilateral tension.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/abandon-cold-war-mentality-us-chinese-officials-clash-during-talks-in-alaska-371538">'Abandon Cold War mentality': US, Chinese officials clash during Alaska talks</a>

"It was due to the fact that the US&nbsp;didn't respect the timings that had been agreed upon for the relevant remarks. It is the US&nbsp;that first provoked and stirred conflict (before the talks). So for both sides, from the start of the opening remarks, the venue totally reeked of explosives and was full of dramatic colours. This was not&nbsp;China's original intention," Zhao Lijian, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a daily briefing.

The run-up to the talks in Anchorage, Alaska, which followed visits by US&nbsp;officials to allies Japan and South Korea, was marked by a flurry of moves by Washington that showed it was taking a tough stance, and by a blunt talk from Beijing.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi took aim at each other's country's policies on Thursday in their meeting in Anchorage.

Zhao accused the US side of overrunning the agreed time for opening remarks, prompting a sharp response from the Chinese delegation.

The meetings, set to continue Friday, come amid disputes over trade, technology, human rights and China's territorial claims to Taiwan and islands in the South China and East China seas.

China has also strongly objected to the US calls for greater transparency about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, the first cases of which were recorded in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019.

/''It was the US side that ... Provoked the dispute in the first place, so the two sides had a strong smell of gunpowder and drama from the beginning in the opening remarks. It was not the original intention of the Chinese side," Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing.

At the Alaska meeting, Blinken affirmed US solidarity with its allies in pushing back against China's increasing efforts to spread its authoritarian mode of government through political and economic pressure.

Yang responded with a list of Chinese complaints, accusing Washington of hypocrisy for criticizing Beijing on human rights and other issues at a time when the United States itself has been roiled by domestic discontent.&nbsp;

China on Friday said that it sensed a ''strong smell of gunpowder and drama'' from talks with top American diplomats in Alaska, continuing the contentious tone of the first face-to-face meetings under the Biden administration.

China on Friday said that it sensed a ''strong smell of gunpowder and drama'' from talks with top American diplomats in Alaska, continuing the contentious tone of the first face-to-face meetings under the Biden administration. The first high-level US-China meeting of the Biden administration got off to a fiery start on Thursday in Achorage with both sides levelling sharp rebukes of the others' policies in a rare public display that underscored the level of bilateral tension. Also read: 'Abandon Cold War mentality': US, Chinese officials clash during Alaska talks "It was due to the fact that the US didn't respect the timings that had been agreed upon for the relevant remarks. It is the US that first provoked and stirred conflict (before the talks). So for both sides, from the start of the opening remarks, the venue totally reeked of explosives and was full of dramatic colours. This was not China's original intention," Zhao Lijian, a spokesman at the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a daily briefing. The run-up to the talks in Anchorage, Alaska, which followed visits by US officials to allies Japan and South Korea, was marked by a flurry of moves by Washington that showed it was taking a tough stance, and by a blunt talk from Beijing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi took aim at each other's country's policies on Thursday in their meeting in Anchorage. Zhao accused the US side of overrunning the agreed time for opening remarks, prompting a sharp response from the Chinese delegation. The meetings, set to continue Friday, come amid disputes over trade, technology, human rights and China's territorial claims to Taiwan and islands in the South China and East China seas. China has also strongly objected to the US calls for greater transparency about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic, the first cases of which were recorded in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. /''It was the US side that ... Provoked the dispute in the first place, so the two sides had a strong smell of gunpowder and drama from the beginning in the opening remarks. It was not the original intention of the Chinese side," Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing. At the Alaska meeting, Blinken affirmed US solidarity with its allies in pushing back against China's increasing efforts to spread its authoritarian mode of government through political and economic pressure. Yang responded with a list of Chinese complaints, accusing Washington of hypocrisy for criticizing Beijing on human rights and other issues at a time when the United States itself has been roiled by domestic discontent.

Sensed strong smell of gunpowder in US talks, says China

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend.

The United States is due to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nintendo-to-officially-launch-its-switch-gaming-console-in-china-266103">video game consoles</a>, computer monitors and toys on Sunday.

US&nbsp;President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-criticism-trump-signs-order-targeting-anti-semitism-at-universities-267765"> Donald Trump</a> is expected to meet top trade advisers on Thursday to discuss the move, sources told Reuters previously.

A decision to proceed with the levies could roil financial markets and scuttle <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-talks-free-trade-must-not-be-derailed-198923">US-China talks</a> to end the 17-month-long trade war between the world's two largest economies.

"The two sides' economic and trade teams are maintaining close communication," Gao Feng, a spokesman at the Chinese commerce ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing.

The countries agreed in October to conclude a preliminary trade agreement, but talks have failed to produce deals on agricultural purchases by China and rollbacks of existing tariffs imposed by the United States. Many analysts had expected a deal ahead of December&nbsp;15.

Beijing has said it would retaliate if the United States escalates the trade dispute.

In August, China said it would impose 5 per cent&nbsp;and 10&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;in additional tariffs on $75 billion of US&nbsp;goods in two batches. Tariffs on the first batch kicked in on September&nbsp;1, hitting US&nbsp;goods including soybeans, pork, beef, chemicals, and crude oil.

The tariffs on the second batch of products are due to be activated on December&nbsp;15, affecting goods ranging from corn and wheat to small aircraft and rare earth magnets.

China also said at the time that it will reinstitute on December&nbsp;15 an additional 25&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;tariff on US-made vehicles and 5&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;tariffs on auto parts that had been suspended at the beginning of 2019.

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend.

China and the United States are in close communication on trade, its commerce ministry said on Thursday, declining to comment on possible retaliatory steps if Washington imposes more tariffs on Chinese goods this weekend. The United States is due to impose tariffs on almost $160 billion of Chinese imports such as video game consoles, computer monitors and toys on Sunday. US President Donald Trump is expected to meet top trade advisers on Thursday to discuss the move, sources told Reuters previously. A decision to proceed with the levies could roil financial markets and scuttle US-China talks to end the 17-month-long trade war between the world's two largest economies. "The two sides' economic and trade teams are maintaining close communication," Gao Feng, a spokesman at the Chinese commerce ministry, told reporters at a regular briefing. The countries agreed in October to conclude a preliminary trade agreement, but talks have failed to produce deals on agricultural purchases by China and rollbacks of existing tariffs imposed by the United States. Many analysts had expected a deal ahead of December 15. Beijing has said it would retaliate if the United States escalates the trade dispute. In August, China said it would impose 5 per cent and 10 per cent in additional tariffs on $75 billion of US goods in two batches. Tariffs on the first batch kicked in on September 1, hitting US goods including soybeans, pork, beef, chemicals, and crude oil. The tariffs on the second batch of products are due to be activated on December 15, affecting goods ranging from corn and wheat to small aircraft and rare earth magnets. China also said at the time that it will reinstitute on December 15 an additional 25 per cent tariff on US-made vehicles and 5 per cent tariffs on auto parts that had been suspended at the beginning of 2019.

China says in close communication with US on trade as fresh tariffs loom

China's customs said on Thursday it was lifting restrictions on the import of poultry meat from the United States, effective immediately.

The plan to lift the nearly five-year ban on US poultry was announced by China's commerce ministry in late October but publication on the website of the customs administration, which clears imports of all farm products, is a formal recognition of the reopening of the trade.

It comes after the US Food Safety and Inspection Service amended the Federal Register last week to approve imports of poultry products derived from birds slaughtered in China.

The poultry approvals by each side come during ongoing negotiations between the countries to resolve a 16-month long trade war in which each has slapped tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each others' goods.

Improving access for US farm produce in the Chinese market has been a critical part of the negotiations, with the removal of non-tariff barriers seen as key to reaching Trump's goal of doubling agricultural sales to China.

China had banned all US poultry and eggs since January 2015 due to an avian influenza outbreak, and imports tanked that year to a fifth of the $390 million worth imported in 2014.

Reopening the market to US poultry meat comes as China faces an unprecedented shortage of protein after a fatal hog disease killed millions of pigs in the pork-loving country.

Imports of chicken have surged this year, with China even purchasing items from abroad such as breast meat that is normally in surplus in the country. Chicken imports of 548,627 tonnes in the first nine months were up 47.6% from year-ago levels, according to Chinese customs data, and were worth 9.2 billion yuan.

China's customs said on Thursday it was lifting restrictions on the import of poultry meat from the United States, effective immediately. The plan to lift the nearly five-year ban on US poultry was announced by China's commerce ministry in late October but publication on the website of the customs administration, which clears imports of all farm products, is a formal recognition of the reopening of the trade.

China's customs said on Thursday it was lifting restrictions on the import of poultry meat from the United States, effective immediately. The plan to lift the nearly five-year ban on US poultry was announced by China's commerce ministry in late October but publication on the website of the customs administration, which clears imports of all farm products, is a formal recognition of the reopening of the trade. It comes after the US Food Safety and Inspection Service amended the Federal Register last week to approve imports of poultry products derived from birds slaughtered in China. The poultry approvals by each side come during ongoing negotiations between the countries to resolve a 16-month long trade war in which each has slapped tariffs on billions of dollars worth of each others' goods. Improving access for US farm produce in the Chinese market has been a critical part of the negotiations, with the removal of non-tariff barriers seen as key to reaching Trump's goal of doubling agricultural sales to China. China had banned all US poultry and eggs since January 2015 due to an avian influenza outbreak, and imports tanked that year to a fifth of the $390 million worth imported in 2014. Reopening the market to US poultry meat comes as China faces an unprecedented shortage of protein after a fatal hog disease killed millions of pigs in the pork-loving country. Imports of chicken have surged this year, with China even purchasing items from abroad such as breast meat that is normally in surplus in the country. Chicken imports of 548,627 tonnes in the first nine months were up 47.6% from year-ago levels, according to Chinese customs data, and were worth 9.2 billion yuan.

China lifts restrictions on US poultry meat imports: Customs

US President Donald Trump on Sunday raised hopes that the United States and China would settle their trade dispute ahead of a March 1 deadline as negotiators met to wrap up the latest round of talks.

The US president said in a tweet that the trade talks on Saturday were "very productive."

Talks were extended through the weekend in a bid to iron out differences on changes to China's treatment of state-owned enterprises, subsidies, forced technology transfers and cyber theft.

The two sides have had no agreement on an enforcement mechanism. Washington wanted a strong mechanism to ensure that Chinese reform commitments were followed through to completion, while Beijing insisted upon what it called a "fair and objective" process.

On Sunday, top officials including US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived for talks at the Winder Building, which houses the headquarters of the United States Trade Representative, an hour later than usual.

Both Mnuchin and Liu went inside without commenting, with Liu smiling when asked if the two sides would have a deal by the end of the day.

Trump said on Friday there was a "good chance" a deal would emerge, and that he might extend the March 1 deadline and move forward with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Extending the deadline would mean putting on hold a scheduled increase in tariffs to 25 per cent from 10 per cent on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports into the United States.

An extension would hold off a worsening of the trade war that has already disrupted commerce worth hundreds of billions of dollars of goods, slowed global economic growth and roiled financial markets.

On Friday, Trump and Mnuchin said US and Chinese officials had reached an agreement on currency issues, but did not give details. US officials have long argued that China's yuan is undervalued, giving it a trade advantage and partly offsetting US tariffs.

China has committed to buying an additional 10 million metric tonnes of US soybeans.

Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday that both sides were drafting memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on cyber theft, intellectual property rights, services, agriculture and non-tariff barriers to trade, including subsidies.

But Trump said he did not like MOUs because they are short-term, and he wanted a long-term deal.

Trump said the biggest decisions could be reached when he meets with Xi, probably in Florida next month, and that their talks may extend beyond trade to encompass Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday raised hopes that the United States and China would settle their trade dispute ahead of a March 1 deadline as negotiators met to wrap up the latest round of talks.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday raised hopes that the United States and China would settle their trade dispute ahead of a March 1 deadline as negotiators met to wrap up the latest round of talks. The US president said in a tweet that the trade talks on Saturday were "very productive." Talks were extended through the weekend in a bid to iron out differences on changes to China's treatment of state-owned enterprises, subsidies, forced technology transfers and cyber theft. The two sides have had no agreement on an enforcement mechanism. Washington wanted a strong mechanism to ensure that Chinese reform commitments were followed through to completion, while Beijing insisted upon what it called a "fair and objective" process. On Sunday, top officials including US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived for talks at the Winder Building, which houses the headquarters of the United States Trade Representative, an hour later than usual. Both Mnuchin and Liu went inside without commenting, with Liu smiling when asked if the two sides would have a deal by the end of the day. Trump said on Friday there was a "good chance" a deal would emerge, and that he might extend the March 1 deadline and move forward with a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Extending the deadline would mean putting on hold a scheduled increase in tariffs to 25 per cent from 10 per cent on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports into the United States. An extension would hold off a worsening of the trade war that has already disrupted commerce worth hundreds of billions of dollars of goods, slowed global economic growth and roiled financial markets. On Friday, Trump and Mnuchin said US and Chinese officials had reached an agreement on currency issues, but did not give details. US officials have long argued that China's yuan is undervalued, giving it a trade advantage and partly offsetting US tariffs. China has committed to buying an additional 10 million metric tonnes of US soybeans. Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday that both sides were drafting memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on cyber theft, intellectual property rights, services, agriculture and non-tariff barriers to trade, including subsidies. But Trump said he did not like MOUs because they are short-term, and he wanted a long-term deal. Trump said the biggest decisions could be reached when he meets with Xi, probably in Florida next month, and that their talks may extend beyond trade to encompass Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei Technologies and ZTE Corp.

Trump raises hopes of trade deal on final day of US-China talks

us-china-talks-0

Us China Talks, News on Us China Talks, stories on Us China Talks, articles on Us China Talks, Us China Talks stories at Wion, Us China Talks news, Us China Talks latest news

us china-talks-0