China busy bolstering other trade ties amid tensions with US, EU
Ministry of Commerce officials were active on a number of fronts early this week
Officials at China’s Ministry of Commerce have been kept busy recently as they navigate a hectic agenda of trade talks.
As well as continuing to engage in negotiations with the European Union on electric vehicle tariffs, they have been monitoring tariff threats from United States president-elect Donald Trump, and working on strengthening trade ties with other countries and relationships with international bodies.
It was a busy start to the week on those fronts for ministry officials.
On Monday alone, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met visiting International Monetary Fund managing director Kristalina Georgieva in Beijing, while vice-minister Wang Shouwen attended a meeting of the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee with South Korean Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo in Seoul.
On the same day, and also in Seoul, Wang Shouwen led the Chinese delegation at the 24th minister’s meeting of the Greater Tumen Initiative – an intergovernmental mechanism involving China, South Korea, Mongolia and Russia.
On the Middle East front, China’s deputy international trade representative, Ling Ji, convened the first investment and economic cooperation meeting in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
