A new round of US tariffs on Chinese imports has just started today. The US began collecting 25% tariffs on 279 lines of Chinese goods, totalling USD 16B in values. They add to the tariffs on USD 34B of Chinese imports which are already in effect. China is expected to start its retaliation tariffs soon.
At the same time, a rather low level Chinese delegation, led by Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen started talks with his equivalent in Washington yesterday. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang yesterday that that “We hope that everyone can calmly sit down together and have earnest discussions toward an outcome that is beneficial to both sides.”
White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders told reporters yesterday that “these conversations are continuing. I don’t have any announcements on them … Certainly what we’d like to see is better trade deals for the United States.”
No further comments were provided by the Treasury, the USTR office, the US Commerce Department and the Chinese Embassy.
