How is the progress of China-US economic and trade consultations? Commerce Ministry: Both sides agreed to establish a working mechanism for expanding economic and trade cooperation under the framework of the China-US economic and trade consultation mechanism.

Everyday Economic News Reporter | Zhang Huai Shui Everyday Economic News Editor | Wei Guanhong

On March 19, the Ministry of Commerce held a routine press conference. Focusing on hot topics such as China-U.S. Paris trade negotiations, rare earth export controls, and the progress of the 9th China International Import Expo, the Ministry responded accordingly.

Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian stated that during the China-U.S. Paris trade negotiations, both sides agreed to study the establishment of a working mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation within the framework of the China-U.S. trade consultation mechanism, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the steady and positive development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

China and the U.S. Agree to Study the Establishment of a Working Mechanism to Expand Economic and Trade Cooperation

He Yongqian introduced at the press conference that on March 15-16 local time, China’s lead negotiator for China-U.S. economic and trade affairs, Vice Premier He Lifeng, and the U.S. lead negotiators, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Trade Representative Katherine Tai, held trade negotiations in Paris, France. Guided by the important consensus of the two heads of state, they engaged in frank, in-depth, and constructive exchanges on issues such as tariff arrangements, promoting bilateral trade and investment, and maintaining existing consensus, reaching some new agreements, and will continue negotiations.

“Both sides agree to study the establishment of a working mechanism to expand economic and trade cooperation, continue to leverage the role of the China-U.S. trade consultation mechanism, strengthen dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, expand practical cooperation, and promote the steady and positive development of bilateral economic and trade relations,” He Yongqian said.

A review by the Daily Economic News found that under the strategic guidance of the important consensus of the two heads of state, after five rounds of trade negotiations last year, China and the U.S. reached a series of results in trade talks, injecting more certainty and stability into their economic and trade relations and the global economy. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act were illegal. Subsequently, the U.S. imposed a 10% additional import fee on all trading partners under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, and also introduced negative measures related to the Section 301 investigation, corporate sanctions, and market access restrictions concerning China.

He Lifeng stated that China’s position against the U.S. unilateral tariffs has been consistent, urging the U.S. to fully cancel such restrictive measures, and that China will take necessary measures to firmly defend its legitimate rights and interests. He hopes that both sides will work together to implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, continuously expand the list of cooperation, reduce the list of issues, and promote the healthy, stable, and sustainable development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations.

“The China International Import Expo (CIIE) will enter Anhui” Event to be Held

It is understood that in recent years, as a featured arrangement of the CIIE, the Ministry of Commerce has held annual activities to bring the CIIE into local areas.

He Yongqian explained that since 2021, the Ministry of Commerce has organized the “Deepening Introduction, Serving Dual Circulation” series of activities to bring the CIIE into localities, with over 1,300 exhibitors, investment promotion agencies, and multinational companies involved. These activities have facilitated trade and investment matching with local governments, enterprises, and industrial parks, continuously amplifying the spillover effects of the CIIE.

This year, the Ministry of Commerce and the Anhui Provincial Government will hold the “CIIE Enters Anhui” event from March 30 to April 1 in Hefei and other locations. The event will focus on Anhui’s geographical advantages, resource endowments, and industrial development directions, and will develop tailored work plans around emerging industries such as intelligent connected new energy vehicles, high-end equipment manufacturing, green food, consumer goods, and biomedicine. The event will include specialized matchmaking activities for advantageous industries, organize business visits to Hefei, Bengbu, Wuhu, and other places, and help showcase investment and development opportunities, encouraging deep participation of foreign businesses in Anhui’s opening-up and development.

“Currently, preparations are proceeding smoothly, with over 80 representatives from Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders registered to participate, including nearly 40 senior executives from global and China-based companies, demonstrating strong confidence and enthusiasm for investing in China,” He Yongqian said.

Jointly Discussing China-Africa Economic Development through Trade, Investment, and the Vast Market Scale

At the press conference, a media question was raised regarding China’s participation in the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (MC14).

In response, He Yongqian stated that the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) will be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, with Minister Wang Wintao leading the Chinese delegation.

He pointed out that currently, the international economic and trade order faces severe challenges, with unilateralism and protectionism on the rise, and multilateral trade systems under serious impact. The global economic development is increasingly uncertain and unstable. Africa, being the continent with the most developing countries, is hosting the WTO Ministerial Conference in Africa for the first time in ten years, with over 160 members gathering in Yaoundé to discuss major issues such as WTO reform, trade and development, agriculture, and food security, which is of special significance.

He further stated that as a responsible developing major country and a staunch supporter and active contributor to multilateral trade systems, China announced in September 2025 that it would not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future WTO negotiations, and in February 2026, submitted a position paper on WTO reform under the current circumstances. “Regarding the upcoming MC14, China firmly supports Cameroon’s hosting of the conference and will articulate its stance on safeguarding multilateral trade, promoting WTO reform, and other issues. China will actively promote negotiations, consensus, and cooperation, and work towards pragmatic outcomes based on full participation in discussions and broad consensus-building.”

Additionally, He Yongqian revealed that to better strengthen cooperation with other developing members under the South-South framework and enhance the China-Africa community with a shared future in the new era, China will host a high-level meeting on “Supporting Africa’s Industrialization: Chinese Investment” during MC14. The WTO Director-General and African ministers will attend to jointly explore how China’s trade, investment, and large market scale can promote China-Africa economic development.

China will also participate in the 14th “China Project” roundtable, the Ministerial Meeting on Investment Facilitation Agreements, and other activities to help all parties, especially developing members, better integrate into the multilateral trade system and benefit from multilateral mutually beneficial cooperation.