Official: Some 'preliminary consensus on certain issues' achieved during talks

中方代表：双方在磋商中就一些议题取得“初步共识”

China and the United States discussed the "possible extension" of existing bilateral tariff and non-tariff measures and floated the idea of establishing a working mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation during their latest round of trade talks in Paris, France, a senior Chinese official said on Monday.

3月16日，中国商务部国际贸易谈判代表李成钢表示，中美双方在法国巴黎举行的最新一轮经贸磋商中，讨论了“可能延期”现有双边关税及非关税措施的问题，并讨论了建立促进双边贸易投资合作的工作机制的设想。

Describing the one-and-a-half-days of talks as "in-depth, candid and constructive", Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce, told reporters that the two sides achieved some "preliminary consensus on certain issues" and will continue to engage in consultations going forward.

李成钢表示，过去一天半，双方团队进行了坦诚、深入、建设性的磋商，就一些议题取得初步共识，下一步双方将继续保持磋商进程。

Following the conclusion of the sixth round of China-US economic and trade consultations on Monday, Li said that both sides affirmed that "a stable economic and trade relationship serves the interests of both countries and benefits the world".

在周一的磋商结束后，李成钢表示，中美进一步认同，“一个稳定的经贸关系利于中美、惠及世界”。

Regarding the issue of bilateral tariff levels under the new circumstances, Li said the US side explained the latest adjustments to its tariff measures and future considerations. The Chinese side expressed concern over the uncertainty arising from these actions, and both sides affirmed their mutual commitment to maintaining stability in tariff levels, Li added.

关于新形势下双边关税水平的问题，李成钢介绍，美方介绍他们最新关税措施的调整以及下一步考虑，中方对由此造成的不确定性表达关注。李成钢补充说，双方同意共同致力于保持双边经贸关系的稳定

To promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation, Li said the two sides discussed the idea of establishing a working mechanism to facilitate such cooperation.

为促进双边贸易投资合作，李成钢表示，双方讨论了建立促进双边贸易投资合作的工作机制的设想。

"We jointly reviewed the implementation of the consensus reached during the five rounds of economic and trade consultations last year, and gave a generally positive assessment of the implementation," Li said.

李成钢说：“我们共同回顾了去年五轮经贸磋商共识的落实情况，我们对落实情况给予了总体的肯定。”

He noted that the two sides also discussed in depth each other's economic and trade concerns.

他指出，双方在磋商中还深入讨论了彼此的经贸关切。

Li pointed out that the US has continued to introduce a number of restrictive measures targeting Chinese trade and investment. In particular, the US recently launched two separate Section 301 trade investigations, both of which include China.

李成钢明确指出，美方仍然出台多项针对中国贸易投资的限制措施。特别是近期美方连续启动两起301调查，调查对象包括中方。

The Chinese side raised "serious representations" and expressed "grave concern" during the consultations, Li said, to express China's consistent opposition to such unilateral probes.

李成钢表示，中方在磋商中进行了“严肃交涉”，表达了“严重关切”，中方一贯反对此类单边调查的立场。

"We are concerned that the potential outcomes of these investigations could interfere with and undermine the hard-won stability in China-US economic and trade relations," Li said. "We will closely monitor the developments of these investigations and take appropriate measures in due course to safeguard China's legitimate rights and interests."

李成钢说：“我们对这些调查的可能结果对来之不易的中美稳定的经贸关系可能造成的干扰和破坏表示担忧。我们密切关注这些调查的后续进展，适时采取相应措施维护中方正当权益。”

China hopes the US will honor its commitments, meet China halfway, and work together to promote the steady and sustained growth of bilateral economic and trade ties, Li added.

李成钢补充说，中方希望美方重信守诺，与中方相向而行，共同推动中美双边经贸关系行稳致远。

John Ross, former director of economic and business policy for the mayor of London, said it would be in the interest of the world economy if the US did not pursue a protectionist path, and if it arrived at constructive agreements with China in trade talks.

伦敦市前经济与商业政策署署长约翰·罗斯表示，如果美国不走贸易保护主义道路，并能与中国在贸易谈判中达成建设性协议，那将符合世界经济的利益。

Liu Zhiqin, senior fellow at Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, said that amid the current complex and ever-changing international trade landscape, only dialogue and consultation offer the best solution for finding a way forward. "China and the US are currently walking this path of consultation. Though the road is long and difficult ahead, there is already a positive beginning," Liu said.

中国人民大学重阳金融研究院高级研究员刘志勤认为，在当前复杂多变的国际贸易形势下，对话与磋商是寻找出路的唯一最佳解决方案。他说：“中美两国目前正走在磋商的道路上。尽管前路漫长且充满挑战，但这已是一个积极的开始。”

He added that China has plenty of patience, ample confidence, and the strength to engage with the US over the long haul, because "China's market is large enough, its consumer base is robust enough, and its industrial chain is complete enough".

他补充道，中国有足够的耐心、充分的信心和强大的实力与美国进行长期沟通，因为“中国的市场足够大，消费基础足够稳固，产业链条足够完整”。

Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Fo...

英语新闻丨中方反对单边升级贸易摩擦，希望美方相向而行