China, U.S. to cease new tariffs and continue trade talks

G20 Summit

US President Donald Trump (R) and China's President Xi Jinping (L)US President Donald Trump (R) and China’s President Xi Jinping (L) have dinner at the end of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Buenos Aires, on December 01, 2018. – US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping had the future of their trade dispute — and broader rivalry between the world’s two top economies — on the menu at a high-stakes dinner Saturday. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, agreed on Saturday to continue the trade talks between the two countries and stop imposing new tariffs, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang’s remarks to the press came at a briefing following the closely watched Xi-Trump working dinner that concluded earlier in the day.

The two sides also agreed to step up negotiations toward the elimination of all additional tariffs, Wang said.

The Xi-Trump meeting was friendly and candid, Wang said, adding that the two have agreed to “have further exchange of visits at an appropriate time.”

He also said that China and the U.S. “can and should” ensure the success of their relations. 

The two countries shoulder increasing responsibilities for world peace and stability, and they have more common interests than differences, Wang noted. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that he would like to exchange views on issues of common concern with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, and jointly chart the course for China-U.S. relations in the next stage.

Xi made the remarks at a working dinner with Trump. The Chinese president said he was glad to meet President Trump.

Since their previous meeting, Xi said, the world situation has witnessed a lot of changes. As two major countries with great influence, China and the United States shoulder important responsibilities in promoting world peace and prosperity.

Cooperation is the best option for the two countries, Xi said.

The two leaders agreed to meet at the G20 summit in a telephone conversation early last month, in which Xi said that both he and President Trump have good visions for a healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations as well as for the expansion of economic and trade cooperation.


Chinese Delegation:

His Excellency XI Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China
His Excellency Ding Xuexiang, Member of Political Bureau of the CCCPC, Member of the Secretariat of the CCCPC, Director of General Office of the CCCPC
His Excellency LIU He, Member of Political Bureau of the CCCPC, Vice Premier of the People’s Republic of China
His Excellency YANG Jiechi, Member of Political Bureau of the CCCPC, Director of the Office of Foreign Affairs Commission
His Excellency WANG Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs
His Excellency HE Lifeng, Vice Chairman of National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conferences, Minister of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC)
His Excellency ZHONG Shan, Minister of Commerce
Mr. CUI Tiankai, Chinese Ambassador to the U.S.A
Mr. WANG Shouwen, Vice Minister of Commerce
 
1 Notetaker:
His Excellency ZHENG Zeguang, Vice Foreign Minister

US Delegation:
THE PRESIDENT 
Secretary Mike Pompeo, Department of State 
Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Department of the Treasury
Gen John Kelly, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff
Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, United States Trade Representative 
Ambassador John Bolton, Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor 
Mr. Jared Kushner, Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor
Mr. Peter Navarro, Assistant to the President for Trade and Manufacturing Policy  
Mr. Larry Kudlow, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
 
Back Bench:
Mr. Matthew Pottinger, Deputy Assistant to the President for Asian Affairs   
Mr. Michael Yan, United States Interpreter for the President 
Ms. Lam Chung-Pollpeter, United States Interpreter for the President

Menu:
First Course
Seasonal Vegetable Salad 
Basil Mayonnaise Dressing
Parmesan Emulsion
Catena Zapata Adrianna White Stones Chardonnay 2009

Main Course
Grilled Sirloin with red onions, goat ricotta, and dates

Dessert
Caramel Rolled Pancakes
Crispy Chocolate
Fresh Cream
Catena Zapata NicolÁs Malbec 2014

Story by The Associated Press with additional information from CGTN.