US to send delegation to China to discuss agricultural, energy exports

The United States will send a delegation to China to discuss specific issues regarding agricultural and energy exports, according to a joint statement issued by the two sides on Saturday.

The joint statement followed two days of high-level talks in Washington between delegations led by Chinese President Xi Jinping's special envoy, Vice-Premier Liu He, and by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

It says that both sides agreed on "meaningful increases in United States agriculture and energy exports", and that the US will send a delegation to China to discuss specific issues.

In an interview with China Daily, Vice-Premier Liu said the trade talks are "quite successful, very meaningful and very fruitful".

Asked about what will be followed up in the coming months, Liu said that the two sides will see where "we have reached the consensus", and that they have already established some working groups, including the agricultural group, for consultations on concrete areas.

"Maybe some ministers from the US government will lead the groups to Beijing and will meet our colleagues to have deeper discussions with us and try to make concrete deals," he said.

Liu arrived in Washington on Tuesday afternoon for economic and trade consultations with the US side at the invitation of the US government.

The two countries agreed to take measures to reduce the US trade deficit in goods, with China significantly increasing purchases of US goods and services, which will help support growth and employment in the US, according to the statement.  

"There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China,"the joint statement reads. "To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services. This will help support growth and employment in the United States."