Today's Edition
LONDON (dpa)
Businesses and policymakers are watching closely as high-level trade talks between the United States and China began in London on Monday, with hopes of defusing tensions between the world's largest economies.
China has dispatched Vice Premier He Lifeng for the negotiations while the United States is to be represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
Chinese state media reported the talks kicked off on Monday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the British government confirmed only that the meeting will take place in the UK and that the country "welcomes the dialogue."
Issues up for discussion are likely to include US restrictions on the sale of high-tech products to China, and China's restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals, where it dominates the global market.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed on the meeting in a phone call on Thursday.
It is the first since a meeting in Switzerland in May when tariffs on both sides were cut back considerably.
According to Trump, the talks will focus on the details of the May trade agreement. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called on China to keep its side of the agreement to pave the way for a more comprehensive deal.
Following the phone call between the two presidents, China has also called on the US to stick to the agreement, while refraining from criticism.
Beijing has urged the US to evaluate objectively the progress made and withdraw negative measures directed at China.
