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.

Everyday Economic News Reporter | Zhang Huai Shui Everyday Economic News Editor | Wei Guanhong

On March 19, the Ministry of Commerce held a routine press conference. Focusing on hot topics such as China-U.S. Paris trade negotiations, rare earth export controls, and the progress of the 9th China International Import Expo, the Ministry responded accordingly.

Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian stated that during the China-U.S. Paris trade negotiations, both sides agreed to study the establishment of a working mechanism to expand trade and economic cooperation within the framework of the China-U.S. trade consultation mechanism, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the steady and positive development of bilateral trade relations.

China and the U.S. Agree to Study the Establishment of a Working Mechanism to Expand Trade and Economic Cooperation

He Yongqian introduced at the press conference that on March 15-16 local time, China’s lead negotiator for China-U.S. trade, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and the U.S. lead negotiators, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Trade Representative Katherine Tai, held trade talks in Paris, France. Guided by the important consensus between the two heads of state, they engaged in frank, in-depth, and constructive exchanges on issues of mutual concern such as tariff arrangements, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and maintaining existing consensus. They reached some new understandings and will continue consultations.

“Both sides agree to study the establishment of a working mechanism to expand trade and economic cooperation, continue to leverage the role of the China-U.S. trade consultation mechanism, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the sustained and stable development of bilateral trade relations,” He Yongqian said.

A review by the Daily Economic News found that under the strategic guidance of the important consensus between the two heads of state, after five rounds of trade negotiations last year, China and the U.S. achieved a series of results in trade talks, injecting more certainty and stability into their trade relations and the global economy. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal. Subsequently, the U.S. imposed a 10% additional import tariff on all trading partners under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, and also introduced negative measures related to Section 301 investigations, corporate sanctions, and market access restrictions concerning China.

He Lifeng emphasized that China’s consistent position is opposed to the U.S. unilateral tariff increases. China urges the U.S. to fully cancel unilateral restrictions such as tariffs and will take necessary measures to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests. He hopes that both sides will work together to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, continuously expand the cooperation list, reduce the list of issues, and promote healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. trade relations.

“The China International Import Expo (CIIE) will enter Anhui” Event to be Held

The reporter learned that in recent years, as a featured arrangement of the CIIE, the Ministry of Commerce has held annual activities to bring the expo into local areas.

He Yongqian explained that since 2021, the Ministry of Commerce has organized the “Deepening Introduction, Serving Dual Circulation” series of activities to bring the CIIE into localities, with over 1,300 exhibitors, investment promotion agencies, and multinational companies involved. These activities have facilitated trade and investment matching with local governments, enterprises, and industrial parks, continuously amplifying the spillover effects of the CIIE.

This year, the Ministry of Commerce and the Anhui Provincial Government will hold the “CIIE Enters Anhui” event from March 30 to April 1 in Hefei and other locations. The event will focus on Anhui’s geographical advantages, resource endowments, and industrial development directions, and will develop tailored work plans around emerging industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing, green food, consumer goods, and biomedicine. It will also organize industry-specific matchmaking activities, invite business representatives to visit Hefei, Bengbu, Wuhu, and other cities for inspections, and help showcase local investment and development opportunities, encouraging deep participation of foreign businesses in Anhui’s opening-up and development.

“Currently, preparations are proceeding smoothly. More than 80 Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders have registered to participate, including nearly 40 senior executives from global and China-based companies, demonstrating strong confidence and enthusiasm of multinational corporations in China,” He Yongqian said.

Jointly Discussing China-Africa Economic Development through Trade, Investment, and the Vast Market Scale

The Daily Economic News reporter noticed at the press conference that a media question was raised regarding China’s participation in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14).

In response, He Yongqian said that from March 26 to 29, the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wintao leading the Chinese delegation.

He pointed out that currently, the international trade order faces severe challenges, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, and multilateral trade systems under serious impact. The global economic development faces increasing instability and uncertainty. Africa, being the continent with the most developing countries, will host the WTO Ministerial Conference in Africa for the first time in ten years, with over 160 members gathering in Yaoundé to discuss major issues such as WTO reform, trade and development, agriculture, and food security, which is of special significance.

He further stated that as a responsible developing major country and a staunch supporter and active contributor to multilateral trade systems, China announced in September 2025 that it would not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future WTO negotiations, and in February 2026, submitted a position paper on WTO reform under the current circumstances. “Regarding the upcoming MC14, China firmly supports Cameroon’s hosting of the meeting and will articulate its stance on safeguarding multilateral trade, promoting WTO reform, and other issues. China will actively promote negotiations, consensus, and cooperation, and work towards pragmatic outcomes based on full participation in discussions and broad consensus-building.”

Additionally, He Yongqian revealed that to better strengthen cooperation with other developing members under the South-South framework and enhance the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, China will host a high-level “China Investment for Africa’s Industrialization” conference during MC14, with WTO Director-General and African ministers attending to jointly explore how China’s trade, investment, and large market scale can promote common economic development between China and Africa.

China will also participate in the 14th “China Project” roundtable, the Ministerial Meeting on Investment Facilitation Agreements, and other activities to help all parties, especially developing members, better integrate into the multilateral trade system and benefit from multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.