Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee and Foreign Minister, announced that the United States and China have agreed to establish a trade committee and an investment committee. While the US administration had earlier indicated during its visit to China that the establishment of a trade committee would be discussed, this marks the first time China has commented on the matter.
Wang also officially confirmed that Chinese President Xi Jinping will make a state visit to the United States this fall at the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
Notably, Wang stressed that the US is accepting China's position opposing Taiwan independence, but President Trump has stated that arms sales to Taiwan were discussed, suggesting controversy ahead.
According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 15th, Wang explained the agenda items and agreements reached during the US-China summit held in Beijing from the 14th to the 15th in an interview format.
Regarding the talks, Wang said, "The two countries have established a 'constructive strategic stability relationship' as the new positioning of bilateral ties," adding that it was "a historic meeting held at a critical period of development for both nations." He also gave significance to the fact that the two leaders met for a total of nine hours.
Agricultural Trade Agreement... No Mention of Boeing Aircraft Purchase
On the outcome of the trade negotiations, Wang said, "We agreed to expand bilateral trade under a framework of equivalent tariff reductions with the United States."
He added, "The economic and trade teams of both countries will continue to implement all common understandings reached in previous negotiations, agreed to establish a trade and investment council (investment committee), and resolved concerns regarding mutual access to each other's agricultural markets." However, he did not disclose specific details of the agricultural sales and purchase negotiations.
On the first day of the talks on the 14th, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had said, "We will discuss plans to establish a trade committee to manage bilateral trade and an investment committee to handle investment in non-sensitive sectors." He also said the US was considering eliminating tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods based on commodity prices.
However, Wang did not mention the purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft or imports of US crude oil that the US had said were agreed upon.
Wang said the two countries decided to maintain close contact, and as part of this, Xi will make a state visit to the United States this fall at the invitation of President Trump. Trump officially invited Xi and his wife to visit the United States on September 24 at a state dinner hosted by Xi at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing the previous day.
"The two leaders agreed to continue maintaining close contact through future meetings, phone calls, and correspondence," he said.
The September meeting is expected to discuss the restoration of normal trade relations between the two countries on semiconductors and rare earths, which were not agreed upon during this US-China summit.
Tense Stance on Taiwan... Trump: "Discussed Arms Sales to Taiwan"
On the Taiwan issue, where the public positions of President Trump and President Xi clearly differed, Wang offered the impression that the US does not recognize "Taiwan independence."
Wang stressed, "Through the talks, we felt that the US side understands China's position, takes its concerns seriously, and, like the international community, does not recognize or accept Taiwan independence."
He also warned, "The Taiwan issue is the most important matter in China-US relations, and touching one part affects the whole. If not handled well, it will push the entire China-US relationship into a very dangerous situation."
He urged, "China hopes that the US side will safeguard the stable development of China-US relations and peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait through concrete actions."
However, regarding this, Trump said aboard his presidential plane on his way back to the United States the previous day, "We discussed arms sales to Taiwan. In fact, all discussions on arms sales were conducted in great detail."
Xi emphasized through state media that the Taiwan issue is the most important between the US and China, but Trump, who had remained silent during the visit to China, has reverted to his original position. It appears likely to remain a source of conflict between the two countries going forward.
"US-Iran Nuclear Talks Should Take Place Swiftly"
Wang also disclosed that the leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and the Ukraine issue as international and regional matters.
Wang said, "President Xi explained China's consistent position, stressing that force cannot solve problems and that dialogue is the right path," emphasizing that the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran should take place swiftly.
Regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, Wang said, "Both China and the US hope this war ends as soon as possible," adding, "We want to continue maintaining communication and play a constructive role in the political resolution of the crisis."
However, he did not comment on the Korean Peninsula issue, which Xinhua reported the two leaders had exchanged views on, or the North Korea issue, which Trump mentioned discussing aboard his plane.
He also said the two sides wished to expand exchanges in various fields including diplomacy, military, economy and trade, health, agriculture, tourism, humanities, and law enforcement, and agreed to expand people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. To this end, he reaffirmed the invitation of 50,000 American students to China.
