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China’s commerce minister will visit the United States next week for meetings with the commerce secretary and Washington’s top trade official, the Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington said on Thursday, as the U.S. seeks engagement with Beijing to salve damaged ties.
Liu Pengyu made the announcement at a Chinese embassy online briefing with journalists, adding that Beijing was open to communication at all levels with United States, but only on the basis of mutual respect.
The Chinese embassy later said in an emailed statement that both sides were still discussing details of the plans.
A source familiar with planning for the meetings said that Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao was expected to meet with Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in Washington next week before traveling to Detroit for a meeting of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers.
Wang would then meet with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on the sidelines of that gathering, scheduled for May 25-26.
Spokespersons for Tai’s and Raimondo’s offices did not respond to requests for comment.
