BEIJING, March 27 (V7N) — China has expressed willingness to strengthen economic ties with the United States to avoid “vicious competition,” Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said following talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

The meeting took place THURSDAY on the sidelines of a World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in Cameroon’s capital, ahead of a planned visit by US President Donald Trump to Beijing in May.

According to a statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce, Wang emphasized the need for both countries to balance competition with cooperation.

“China is willing to strengthen multilateral and regional economic and trade cooperation with the United States,” he said, adding that both sides must “properly handle the relationship between competition and cooperation” and avoid harmful rivalry.
The world’s two largest economies were locked in a tense trade dispute last year before reaching a truce in October. Recent high-level talks, including discussions in Paris between US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, have helped ease tensions.

However, several key issues remain unresolved, including US tariffs, a trade imbalance favoring China, and US restrictions on advanced technology exports.

Wang also raised “grave concerns” over new US trade investigations that could lead to additional tariffs. The probes, targeting around 60 economies including China, are examining issues such as forced labor and their impact on US commerce.

The White House has confirmed that President Trump is scheduled to visit Beijing on May 14–15, with the trip slightly delayed due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The latest discussions signal cautious optimism for improved economic engagement, even as underlying tensions persist between the two global powers.

END/WSD/RH