Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng will travel to France to take part in the sixth round of trade consultations with the United States. The meeting is scheduled to run from Saturday until Tuesday. Both sides are expected to address disputes that have complicated their economic relationship. The talks represent another effort to manage tensions through negotiation.
China has urged Washington to change course on several trade measures. Officials say recent investigations initiated by the US could lead to increased tariffs on foreign goods. Beijing argues these steps undermine global trade cooperation. Instead, China advocates dialogue as the best method for resolving disagreements.
Authorities in Beijing say the US has launched Section 301 investigations against 16 economies, including China. The probes focus on concerns about industrial overcapacity in certain sectors. China criticized the investigations and described them as unilateral actions affecting global commerce. Officials also cited rulings by the World Trade Organization that questioned the legality of tariffs imposed through Section 301.
China also stressed the importance of international supply chains in the modern economy. Production networks often span several countries before reaching consumers. Officials say this system allows supply and demand to balance globally. Without cross-border trade, they argue, economic growth would slow significantly.
Beijing also mentioned separate US investigations involving claims about forced labor in supply chains. These probes affect about 60 economies worldwide. Chinese officials said they are studying the situation carefully. The government also indicated that it could respond if its economic interests are threatened.