Chinese Commerce Minister Tells Tim Cook: "U.S. Sanctions Have Damaged Trade Talks Atmosphere"

Fluctuations in U.S.-China Trade Tied to U.S. Sanctions
Apple's Increased Investment "Welcomed"

The Chinese Minister of Commerce stated that the United States' sanctions against China have undermined the atmosphere of bilateral trade talks during a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook, who is currently visiting China.

Wang Wentao, Chinese Minister of Commerce, is speaking at the 13th Korea-Japan-China Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, last March. Photo by Yonhap News

According to materials released on the official website of the Ministry of Commerce, Minister Wang Wentao met with CEO Cook on the 16th and explained that recent fluctuations in U.S.-China trade relations resulted from a series of sanctions imposed by the United States on China after the Madrid talks. He added that these measures have seriously undermined China's interests and damaged the atmosphere of bilateral discussions.

According to the Global Times, Chinese Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yungchen also said at a press conference that day, "The United States is seriously distorting rare earth export controls, creating unnecessary misunderstandings and panic," emphasizing that "rare earth exports will be approved if they comply with regulations and are intended for civilian use."

Minister Wang further stated that, for the stability of U.S.-China trade relations, both countries need to move forward together. He expressed hope that the United States would seek solutions through equal dialogue and negotiation with China to provide a more stable environment for companies in both countries. He also stressed that China would firmly maintain a high level of openness to the outside world and optimize the business environment so that foreign-invested companies can share in China's development opportunities, welcoming Apple's increased investment in China.

CEO Cook responded by saying that the stability of U.S.-China economic and trade relations is beneficial not only for both countries but also for the stability and development of the global economy, and that Apple will make a positive contribution to U.S.-China cooperation and mutual prosperity.

On his second visit to China this year, Apple CEO Tim Cook also attended a meeting with the advisory board of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse on the 16th. Chinese Premier He Lifeng attended the meeting and exchanged views with representatives of major global companies. The previous day, CEO Cook met with Minister Li Lecheng of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, who oversees China's industrial policy, to discuss ways to cooperate. The iPhone Air, Apple's thinnest smartphone ever, is scheduled to be officially released in China next week, with pre-orders starting that day.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce refuted criticism from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, who claimed that Li Chengang, China's International Trade Negotiator and Vice Minister of Commerce, was aggressive during his visit to the United States in August, calling the remarks a "serious distortion of the facts."

Spokesperson He Yungchen stated at a press conference the previous day, "Representative Li visited the United States from August 27 to 29, exchanging views with the U.S. on implementing the consensus reached during the leaders' phone call, U.S.-China economic and trade relations, and ways to implement the agreements reached during the talks." He emphasized that China's measures regarding port fees are passive defensive actions and expressed hope that the United States would recognize its mistakes and return to the proper track of dialogue and negotiation.

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