US, China commerce ministers pledge to further talks in 2024

The United States and China are planning further talks on commercial issues next year, the US Department of Commerce said on Friday, pledging to continue high-level engagement despite tensions, UNN reports citing AFP. 

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The statement came after US and Chinese leaders Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held a summit 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 after Biden and Xi Jinping talked about commercial relations between the countries.

"During the meeting, they discussed the progress made through the Commercial Working Group and planned to meet in person in early 2024," the U.S. Department of Commerce said in a statement.

The two sides will also hold technical discussions on strengthening trade secret protection during talks next January.

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

Washington says the export restrictions, aimed at reducing China's access to advanced chips that are crucial to the development of artificial intelligence technology and advanced weapons, are a national security measure.

But Beijing has rejected these concerns, and this week Xi told Biden that such actions harm China's "legitimate interests."

Raimondo's currently scheduled talks will follow her August trip to Beijing and will take place despite the disagreements between the two sides.

The U.S. Department of Commerce also plans to work with Chinese authorities to develop ties through the resumption of the Tourism Leaders Summit, which is scheduled to take place in May in Xi'an.

"Secretary Raimondo also emphasized that protecting national security is non-negotiable," the U.S. Department of Commerce said in a statement, adding that U.S. controls are not intended to curb China's growth.