Top China, US trade reps to resume talks ahead of Xi-Trump G20 meeting

Top trade representatives from China and the United States will resume talks ahead of the G20 summit in Osaka at the end of this month, according to China's Commerce Ministry.

China's Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng takes questions at a briefing in Beijing on Thursday, June 20, 2019. [Photo: CCTV]

The announcement follows a telephone conversation between President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump on Tuesday.

The negotiations will implement instructions provided by the two presidents in preparation for their upcoming meeting at the G20, Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng told journalists at a briefing on Thursday.

China's basic principles, positions, and attitudes towards the talks with the United States are consistent and clear, said Gao. "The issues China is most concerned about must be properly addressed."

In their call on Tuesday, President Trump told President Xi that he looks forward to their meeting, and expressed his hope that both sides can find a way to resolve the current dispute as soon as possible.

President Xi said he stands ready to meet President Trump in Osaka to exchange views on fundamental issues concerning the development of China-U.S. relations, and agreed to have the trade teams of the two countries continue to work towards a resolution to the dispute.

National flags of China and the United States. [File photo: IC]

Xi stressed that the two sides should solve their problems through dialogue on an equal footing, with the key being to accommodate each other's legitimate concerns, adding that China hopes the U.S. side can treat Chinese firms in a fair manner.