Mnuchin: US, Chinese Call Could Produce 'in-person' Talks

July 18, 2019

AdobeStock / © rawf8
AdobeStock / © rawf8

U.S. and Chinese officials will hold a telephone call later on Thursday that could pave the way for further in-person trade talks, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told CNBC.

Mnuchin, speaking from the G7 meeting in Chantilly, France, said he and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer will participate in the call with their Chinese counterparts, adding that it follows an earlier discussion with their staffs.

"We'll see where we get," he said in an interview. "We continue to make progress. I would expect Ambassador Lighthizer and I to travel over there to have an in-person meeting."

Global stocks were rattled after comments on Tuesday from U.S. President Donald Trump, who reiterated his threat to impose further tariffs on Chinese imports.

"And we have a long way to go as far as tariffs, where China is concerned, if we want. We have another $325 billion that we can put a tariff on if we want," Trump said at a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Tuesday.

Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month agreed to revive trade discussions after talks were derailed in fell apart in May.

Reporting by Susan Heavey


Logistics News

Baltic Index Rises, Sees Gains Across All Vessel Sizes

Baltic Index Rises, Sees Gains Across All Vessel Sizes

Cuba Maritime & Port Celebrates Three Years of Industry Innovation and Collaboration

Cuba Maritime & Port Celebrates Three Years of Industry Innovation and Collaboration

Melvin Resigns as President of South Carolina Ports Authority

Melvin Resigns as President of South Carolina Ports Authority

Brazil Ships More Iron Ore to China, Competitors Lag

Brazil Ships More Iron Ore to China, Competitors Lag

Subscribe for Maritime Logistics Professional E‑News

Asian spot LNG prices fall on abundant supply and weak demand
Boeing Defense and striking machinists announce Monday's return to negotiations
Ukraine claims it has struck Russia's Unecha Oil Pumping Station on Thursday