US Commerce Secretary holds talks with Chinese ambassador

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo engaged in constructive discussions with Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng ahead of her scheduled trip to China. The discussions come as part of a strategic effort to ease tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Raimondo is set to embark on a journey to Beijing and Shanghai from August 27th to 30th. The mission focuses on addressing economic challenges faced by US businesses and identifying potential areas of collaboration. The US Department of Commerce released a statement highlighting the importance of this visit.

The backdrop for this diplomatic mission is the need to stabilize the increasingly strained relations between the United States and China. The two nations have grappled with disputes encompassing issues like national security, trade, the situation in Ukraine, and the status of Taiwan.

Ambassador Xie emphasized Beijing’s policy orientation of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and cooperation for mutual benefit. He noted the intricate global situation characterized by economic vulnerabilities and concurrent crises.

Raimondo’s visit follows an accord between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit in Bali, where the leaders agreed to enhance communication between their countries. The recent weeks have witnessed a flurry of high-level diplomatic activity, including visits by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and climate envoy John Kerry to China.

The US administration has taken multiple measures to address what it considers national security concerns, leading to restrictions on Chinese trade and industry. These measures have been criticized by China as efforts to impede its economic progress.

In a recent development, President Biden signed an executive order restraining US firms from investing in specific sectors of China’s tech industry, such as advanced computer chips and artificial intelligence. China strongly condemned these actions, branding them as “anti-globalization,” and pledged to respond with countermeasures.

Addressing allegations of attempting to hinder China’s economic growth, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that Washington’s intention is to manage risks. He highlighted the positive impact of a stable Chinese economy on the global stage.

As Raimondo’s China trip draws near, expectations are high for meaningful discussions aimed at fostering cooperation and stability between the two economic powerhouses.