Facing Differences, Equal Dialogue: China-US Economic and Trade Talks Move into Deeper Waters

Xinhua News Agency Madrid, September 16 — Reporter’s Note | Confronting Differences and Engaging in Equal Dialogue, China-U.S. Economic and Trade Talks Advance into Deep Water

Xinhua reporters Han Jie, Xie Xiyao, Chen Binjie

On September 14-15, local time, China-U.S. economic and trade teams held talks in Madrid, Spain.

This is the second time after Switzerland, the UK, and Sweden that both sides have held economic and trade talks in a third country.

Compared to the previous three rounds, this round of talks was more specific and in-depth, further confirming that the China-U.S. economic and trade negotiations have entered deep water, with greater difficulties in consultations.

On September 14, China and the U.S. held talks on relevant economic and trade issues in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Xinhua reporter Peng Ziyang

“This round of talks involved honest and in-depth exchanges between both sides regarding TikTok and related Chinese concerns, reaching a basic framework consensus on resolving TikTok issues through cooperation, reducing investment barriers, and promoting relevant economic and trade cooperation.”

At the press conference held by the Chinese delegation on the evening of the 15th, Li Chenggang, the International Trade Negotiator and Vice Minister of Commerce, introduced the results of the talks.

Over the past two days, the San Cugat Palace, where the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs is located, witnessed tense yet efficient consultations between the China-U.S. economic and trade teams. Journalists on the scene personally felt the fast-paced work rhythm of the Chinese delegation.

Around 2 p.m. on September 14, the Chinese delegation, having just arrived in Madrid, entered San Cugat Palace to begin talks with the U.S. side. On the first day of negotiations, communication between technical teams continued into the late evening. The next morning, the talks resumed and continued until the afternoon.

The inclusion of TikTok issues in the agenda attracted much attention.

Since entering the U.S. market, TikTok has accumulated a large user base and high user engagement, beloved by Americans, and has made positive contributions to U.S. employment and consumption.

However, from Trump’s first term threatening to buy it out, to Biden’s administration pushing Congress to pass the “Ban or Sell” law, and Trump’s second term extending bans multiple times while proposing new holding or acquisition demands… a series of malicious suppressions against TikTok under the guise of “national security” exemplify how the U.S. politicizes, instrumentalizes, and securitizes economic and trade issues.

Li Chenggang clarified China’s stance on TikTok at the press conference: “China has always opposed politicizing, instrumentalizing, or weaponizing technology and economic and trade issues. We will not seek any agreement at the cost of principles, corporate interests, or international fairness and justice. China will firmly safeguard national interests and the legitimate rights of Chinese enterprises, and will conduct technical export approvals in accordance with laws and regulations.”

Hussein Askar, Deputy Director of the Sweden Belt and Road Research Institute, said that the fact that both sides discussed TikTok and made new progress indicates that mutual trust has been gradually built through previous rounds of negotiations. “Maintaining open dialogue channels is itself a positive signal.”

Talks are open; fighting is committed to the end. In successive rounds of economic and trade consultations, China’s stance has remained firm: whether through confrontation or negotiation, China’s determination to protect its development interests will not change, nor will its position and goals to uphold international fairness, justice, and the international trade order.

Currently, the U.S. has wielded tariffs against many countries, and its unilateral actions severely disrupt the global trade order, ultimately damaging the confidence of global enterprises and consumers.

“Faced with changes and challenges, countries should take proactive actions to uphold the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization. This is crucial for stable growth of international trade and healthy development of the world economy,” said Liang Guoyong, senior economist at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Félix Bardaviso, Director of the China Research Center at IE University in Spain, said that the recent China-U.S. talks send an encouraging signal: the world’s two largest economies are still capable of cooperation.

Over the two days, nearly a hundred journalists outside San Cugat Palace watched the proceedings from morning to night, attracting local residents and tourists from various countries.

On September 14, in Madrid, Spanish media reporters wait outside the China-U.S. economic and trade talks venue. Photo by Xinhua reporter Peng Ziyang

“I’ve been following the previous three rounds of China-U.S. economic and trade talks, and I didn’t expect to witness new negotiations here,” said an American tourist visiting Spain. “High tariffs have led to rising prices; the cost of one pound of coffee in the U.S. has increased from $10 to $16. I hope both sides can reach a win-win agreement soon.”

A young man who recently moved from Brazil to Madrid also expressed his dissatisfaction with the U.S. imposing a 50% tariff on Brazilian beef: “This has caused a large amount of Brazilian beef to go unsold, and it’s being dumped domestically at low prices, which is really terrible.”

Reality continues to prove that there are no winners in trade wars, and protectionism has no way out.

“The implementation of U.S. tariffs will inevitably cause serious shocks to the global economy,” said Fabián Zulegg, chief economist at the European Policy Center in Belgium. “Maintaining communication and dialogue between China and the U.S. is especially important, not only for stabilizing bilateral economic and trade relations but also for directly influencing the global economic outlook.”

The essence of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutually beneficial and win-win. Success for China and success for the U.S. are opportunities for each other, not threats. History will ultimately prove that only cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit can achieve long-term win-win results. Both sides should work together, strengthen dialogue, eliminate interference and disruptions, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and create a better future.

(Editors: Wang Zhiqiang HF013)

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