What is the progress of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultations? Ministry of Commerce: Both sides agree to establish a working mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation within the framework of the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism.

Every reporter｜Zhang Huaishui Every editor｜Wei Guanhong

On March 19, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference. Focusing on hot topics such as the China-U.S. Paris economic and trade consultations, rare earth export controls, and the preparations for the 9th China International Import Expo, the Ministry of Commerce provided responses.

Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian stated that during the China-U.S. Paris economic and trade consultations, both sides agreed to explore the establishment of a working mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation within the framework of China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanisms, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the continuous and stable improvement of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Both China and the U.S. agree to explore the establishment of a working mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation

He Yongqian introduced at the press conference that on March 15-16, local time, the Chinese head of the economic and trade consultation, Vice Premier He Lifeng, met with the U.S. heads, Treasury Secretary Yellen and Trade Representative Tai in Paris, France, for economic and trade consultations. Guided by the important consensus reached by the heads of state of China and the U.S., both sides had candid, in-depth, and constructive exchanges on mutually concerned economic and trade issues such as tariff arrangements, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and maintaining existing consultation consensus, forming some new agreements and deciding to continue consultations.

“Both sides agreed to explore the establishment of a working mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation, continue to effectively utilize the China-U.S. economic and trade consultation mechanism, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the continuous and stable improvement of bilateral economic and trade relations,” He Yongqian said.

Reporters from the Daily Economic News noted that under the strategic guidance of the important consensus of the two heads of state and following five rounds of economic and trade consultations last year, China and the U.S. have reached a series of consultation results in the economic and trade field, injecting more certainty and stability into the economic relations between the two countries and the global economy. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs imposed by the U.S. under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal. Subsequently, the U.S. imposed a 10% additional tariff on all trading partners based on Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 and has gradually introduced negative measures related to Section 301 investigations, corporate sanctions, and market access restrictions concerning China.

He Lifeng stated that China’s position against the U.S. imposing unilateral tariffs is consistent, urging the U.S. to completely eliminate unilateral tariffs and other restrictive measures, and will take necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. He expressed hope that the U.S. would work with China to jointly implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, continuously lengthen the cooperation list, shrink the issues list, and promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

The “Import Expo Goes to Anhui” event will be held

Reporters learned that in recent years, as a distinctive arrangement of the Import Expo, the Ministry of Commerce holds relevant events in local areas every year.

He Yongqian introduced that since 2021, the Ministry of Commerce has held a series of “Deepening Introduction and Serving Dual Circulation” events under the Import Expo, organizing over 1,300 exhibitors, investment promotion agencies, and multinational companies to engage deeply with local governments, enterprises, and industrial parks in trade and investment connections, continuously amplifying the spillover effects of the Import Expo.

This year, the Ministry of Commerce and the Anhui Provincial People’s Government will hold the “Import Expo Goes to Anhui” event from March 30 to April 1 in Hefei and other locations, focusing on Anhui’s geographical advantages, resource endowments, and industrial development directions, devising work plans around emerging industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing, green food, consumer goods, and biomedicine, and organizing industry-specific connection activities, facilitating merchants to visit Hefei, Bengbu, Wuhu, and other places to help fully showcase investment opportunities and promote foreign participation in Anhui’s open development.

“Currently, all preparations are proceeding in an orderly manner, with over 80 representatives from Fortune Global 500 and industry-leading companies registered to attend, including nearly 40 global and China area executives, fully demonstrating multinational companies’ confidence and enthusiasm for deepening their engagement in China,” He Yongqian said.

Jointly discussing China-Africa economic common development through Chinese trade investment and super-large market scale

At the press conference, reporters from the Daily Economic News noticed that some media inquired about China’s participation in the 14th World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC14).

In response, He Yongqian stated that from March 26 to 29, the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao will lead the Chinese delegation to attend.

He Yongqian pointed out that currently, the international economic and trade order is facing severe challenges, with rising unilateralism and protectionism, and the multilateral trading system being severely impacted, leading to increasing instability and uncertainty in global economic development. Africa is the continent with the most developing countries, and it holds special importance that the WTO is holding the ministerial meeting in Africa after ten years, gathering over 160 members in Yaoundé to discuss major issues such as WTO reform, trade and development, and food security.

He Yongqian further stated that as a responsible developing country and a staunch defender and active contributor to the multilateral trading system, China has announced that it will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future WTO negotiations by September 2025 and submitted a position paper on WTO reform in the current situation in February 2026. “For the upcoming MC14 meeting, China firmly supports Cameroon in hosting the meeting and will articulate China’s position on maintaining the multilateral trading system and promoting WTO reform. China will actively promote discussions and cooperation, aiming to achieve practical outcomes based on comprehensive participation in discussions on various topics and building broad consensus.”

In addition, He Yongqian also revealed that to better strengthen cooperation with other developing members under the South-South framework and enhance the all-weather China-Africa community of shared destiny in the new era, China will host a high-level meeting on “Supporting Africa’s Industrialization Process: Chinese Investment” during MC14, with the WTO Director-General and ministers from African countries in attendance to jointly discuss achieving common economic development between China and Africa through Chinese trade investment and super-large market scale.

China will also participate in the 14th “China Projects” Round Table, the Investment Facilitation Agreement Ministerial Meeting, and other activities, helping all parties, especially developing members, to better integrate into the multilateral trading system and benefit more from multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.