Chui Tiankai: "Efforts Underway to Implement US-China Trade Agreement... Further Discussions Needed"

Choi Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the United States

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Sunmi Park] Cui Tiankai, the Chinese Ambassador to the United States, emphasized that despite tensions between the U.S. and China caused by COVID-19, China is making efforts to fulfill the trade agreement. There is growing anticipation that additional contacts related to trade negotiations will take place soon through a phone or video conference between the two countries.

According to Huanqiu Shibao on the 13th, Ambassador Cui mentioned in an interview on the U.S. PBS program GZERO World aired on the 11th (local time) that China is faithfully implementing the contents of the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement signed in January this year. He said, "China is still purchasing some agricultural products from the U.S. and is partially lifting restrictions on foreign companies in the financial market," adding, "China is playing its part in implementing the trade agreement."

He advised, "Even a few weeks ago, when the situation was severe due to COVID-19, officials were striving to fulfill the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement," and added, "In a situation where the global economy is rapidly changing, both sides hope to assess the current economic situation and develop the next steps through direct meetings or phone calls."

Ambassador Cui described U.S.-China relations as "complex and comprehensive," but also stated, "The top leaders of both countries have maintained good communication and share a common understanding that cooperation is necessary. Now is the time for cooperation."

This interview by Ambassador Cui came amid growing emotional conflicts between the U.S. and China over their responses to COVID-19, raising concerns that the implementation of the Phase One trade agreement could be jeopardized. By first emphasizing that China has not forgotten its commitment to the trade agreement with the U.S., China is making a conciliatory gesture and intends to lead additional negotiations to revive the economies of both countries, which have been hit by COVID-19.

Huanqiu Shibao added statements from Chinese economic experts regarding Ambassador Cui’s interview, noting that China is still fulfilling its commitments under the trade agreement with the U.S., and predicted that the two countries could soon engage in additional trade negotiations.

Ni Feng, Deputy Director of the U.S. Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "This should be seen as a signal that the two countries can soon strengthen communication related to trade negotiations through methods such as video calls," adding, "There is a possibility to accelerate discussions on the implementation of the agreement and to discuss the next steps on how to overcome the economic impact of COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.