Top Chinese official, US treasury chief discuss trade, tariffs

​​​​​​​By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and newly-appointed US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent held their first phone call Friday to discuss economic relations and tariffs, according to readouts of the video call.

Beijing and Washington exchanged “in-depth views” on agreements reached by presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.

The vice premier raised Beijing’s concerns about “recent US additional tariffs and other restrictive measures against China,” according to the Chinese side.

The US raised issues “about China’s counternarcotics efforts, economic imbalances, and unfair policies,” according to the Treasury Department.

Bessett emphasized the US’ “commitment to pursue trade and economic policies that protect the American economy, the American worker, and our national security,” it added.

The US and China are the world’s top two economies and soon after he assumed office last month, Trump imposed an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports.

In a tit-for-tat move, Beijing imposed up to 15% tariffs on targeted US imports.

He and Bessett acknowledged the importance of relations in economics and trade, according to the Chinese readout.

Both sides agreed to keep communication channels open in the future, it added.