China, US resume trade talks in Seoul as Trump set for Beijing visit
Photo: Reuters
China will hold a new round of economic and trade talks with the United States in South Korea next week, Beijing announced on Sunday, as preparations continue for President Donald Trump’s state visit to China from May 13 to 15.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, Vice-Premier He Lifeng, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will lead the Chinese delegation during consultations with US officials in Seoul from May 12 to 13.
In an online statement, the ministry said the discussions would be guided by the “important consensus” reached during earlier engagements between President Xi Jinping and President Trump, including their meeting in Busan, South Korea and subsequent telephone conversations.
The talks are expected to focus on key economic and trade issues of mutual concern amid ongoing efforts by both countries to stabilise bilateral relations and avoid renewed tariff disputes that have unsettled global markets since 2018.
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The latest engagement forms part of a broader diplomatic framework established following previous high-level meetings between the Chinese and US leadership. That mechanism was designed to ensure continuous dialogue on trade and economic matters rather than one-off negotiations.
South Korea and China have also signed 14 memoranda of understanding aimed at expanding cooperation in the economic and digital technology sectors. Seoul continues to maintain its strategic security alliance with Washington while simultaneously deepening commercial ties with Beijing.
Separately, China’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that President Trump will undertake a state visit to China at the invitation of President Xi Jinping. The visit comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly amid the ongoing US-Israel conflict involving Iran.
“President Xi will exchange views with President Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations and world peace and development,” the foreign ministry spokesperson said in a post on X.
President Xi will exchange views with President Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations and world peace and development. China and the U.S. need to expand cooperation and manage differences in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, and provide for more… https://t.co/DpUqRaznU9
“China and the US need to expand cooperation and manage differences in the spirit of equality, respect and mutual benefit, and provide for more stability and certainty in a transforming and volatile world,” he added.
Ahead of the visit, senior Chinese leaders met a bipartisan delegation of US senators in Beijing and expressed willingness to strengthen dialogue and enhance cooperation with Washington.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Beijing was prepared to implement the consensus reached during the February phone conversation between Xi and Trump, which he described as providing strategic direction for bilateral ties.
During a meeting with the delegation led by Senator Steve Daines, Li stressed the importance of improving communication, promoting exchanges at all levels and achieving practical outcomes through cooperation. He said China remained committed to improving the well-being of both peoples and contributing “certainty and positive energy” to the global environment.
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Li further urged the US to prioritise dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation over confrontation and zero-sum competition, while maintaining stable economic and trade relations.
Reaffirming Beijing’s stance on Taiwan, Li described the issue as a “core interest” and a “red line” in China-US relations, expressing hope that the US Congress would handle China-related matters prudently.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met the visiting delegation and said stable coexistence between the two major powers depended on mutual understanding and respect.
“China-US relations concern not only the well-being of both peoples but also global stability,” Wang said, adding that Beijing’s policy towards Washington remained rooted in mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.
For his part, Senator Daines acknowledged China’s economic progress and expressed support for greater stability in bilateral relations. “We very much appreciate the importance of mutual respect, peaceful cooperation and stability. We seek the same outcomes,” he said.
Both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues, signalling cautious optimism for improved engagement despite continuing differences.