China says it's in close touch with the U.S. on signing phase one trade deal

Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday China is in close touch with the United States on the signing of phase one economic and trade deal.

Shipping containers from China and other Asian countries are unloaded at the Port of Los Angeles in Long Beach, California on September 14, 2019. [File photo: AFP /Mark RALSTON ]

Economic and trade teams of the two sides are keeping in close touch on specific arrangements for the signing of the phase one trade deal, Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a regular briefing.

Geng's comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he and Chinese President Xi Jinping will have a ceremony to sign the phase one trade deal.

Last week, Xi held a phone conversation with Trump, noting that the trade deal benefits both sides and the whole world.