China and the U.S. are finding practical solutions to trade issues

Note: The following article is taken from the Chinese-language "Commentaries on International Affairs."

A new round of high-level economic and trade consultations between China and the United States has wrapped up in Washington D.C. The most important thing the two countries achieved in this round of talks is that they found solutions to their trade issues using a practical approach that reassured markets.

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

China and the United States described the outcomes of these talks somewhat differently. Beijing put forward a concise summary, while Washington offered more of the details. But both sides are generally on the same page. They both agree that they achieved substantial progress, and they both expressed a willingness to work hard on reaching a final agreement.

The trade issues between China and the United States are complicated, so it isn’t practical for them to sort things out within a short period of time. After a year of back and forth negotiations, it's obvious that the two countries have realized they need to put the interests of consumers and manufacturers first, tackle the smaller issues to begin with, and keep working at their differences until they reach a final deal. This is the most effective way for their problems to be solved.

China and the United States should build on the gains they have made to date, and keep working with each other toward a final agreement, so that the bilateral relationship between the two countries can get back on the right track.