【By Observer News, Yuan Jiaqi】

According to Bloomberg on the 20th, on Tuesday local time, U.S. Trade Representative Griles proposed during a meeting in Davos, Switzerland, that another round of U.S.-China trade negotiations be held before Trump's planned visit to China in April this year.

He told reporters, "We may hold talks before that and try to reach further consensus on non-sensitive trade transactions that both sides can carry out."

On January 21, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded, saying, "For specific issues, we suggest you ask the relevant Chinese authorities. The two sides should work together to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and bring more stability and certainty to Sino-U.S. economic and trade cooperation and the world economy."

On Tuesday local time, U.S. Trade Representative Griles delivered a speech in Davos. Video screenshot from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

After the summit between the leaders of China and the United States in Busan last year, the two countries reached a phased "ceasefire" in their trade disputes, with both sides agreeing to continue extending some tariff exclusion measures, and Sino-U.S. relations have become more stable.

According to reports, Griles suggested that the next round of U.S.-China trade negotiations could temporarily avoid some highly sensitive issues, such as technological competition, and the issue of China's supply of rare earth magnets crucial to the global industrial supply chain.

He said, "We don't want to get stuck in deadlocks in sensitive areas such as export controls, investments, and all these high-tech and national security-related topics. Let's first talk about cooperation in basic goods and services sectors."

When asked whether the one-year tariff dispute "ceasefire" between the U.S. and China meant that the Trump administration would suspend competitive measures against China, Griles claimed, "The U.S. policy toward China has not been put on hold."

Griles added, "You will see all routine export control work continues as usual," and tried to support this statement with the recent foreign drone restrictions issued by the Trump administration. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce had quietly withdrawn an proposed plan to impose import restrictions on Chinese drones at the beginning of January.

According to an official video released by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on the 20th, Griles also talked about China's dominant position in key areas such as rare earths during his special speech in Davos that day.

He admitted that after China "interrupted" the supply of several rare earths, the Trump administration "had to be realistic" (makes us realistic), and turned to dialogue with China to explore what measures the U.S. could take to ensure the restoration of rare earth supplies.

But Griles also defended the Trump administration's tariff policies, calling them necessary measures to protect the U.S. economy by using all available tools within the government's authority.

As a senior trade official during Trump's first term, Griles served as chief of staff to then-U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and was deeply involved in various important economic and trade consultations, including U.S.-China trade negotiations.

He recalled that in 2018, he had met with a business representative from a Western European country and informed them of the U.S. decision to impose tariffs on China, while the representative remained indifferent, replying that "Europe needed to surpass China through technological innovation."

"At that time, I had already interacted with many Chinese people, who were becoming very innovative. So, I don't think that was a particularly smart policy."

Upon hearing this, the host immediately asked, "So, do you think the EU should impose tariffs on China?"

"I wouldn't say that publicly," Griles continued to explain, "I just want to get along well with everyone. I'm playing the 'good cop' role (good cop). That's not a way to get along with everyone."

Bloomberg reported that the day before Griles made these remarks, U.S. Commerce Secretary Raimondo met with Chinese trade negotiators in Davos on Monday.

On the 20th, when interviewed by U.S. media, Raimondo praised Trump's tariff policies, claiming that these tariffs forced countries like China to sit at the negotiation table, and delayed China's rare earth export controls for a year.

"That's the embodiment of American global leadership," he said, "He (Trump) can use the Section 301 tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to negotiate for the entire industrial world. I think that's very important."

Raimondo also said that China had fulfilled its commitment to purchase U.S. soybeans and supply rare earths, and that China's rare earth supply is proceeding as expected, which is quite satisfactory.

He also advised China to "appropriately increase the purchase of U.S. soybeans," because Trump always mentions this issue during meetings with Chinese leaders.

Regarding the news of Trump's planned visit to China, on January 20, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a regular press conference, "Regarding the specific issues you mentioned, I currently have no information to provide."

Guo Jiakun also stated that over the past year, Sino-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, achieving overall dynamic stability, which is in line with the common interests of the people of both countries and the shared expectations of the international community. The development of Sino-U.S. relations over the past year once again shows that it is beneficial for both sides to cooperate and harmful to both if they fight. The two countries should explore the correct way for two major powers to coexist based on equality, respect, and mutual benefit. China is willing to work with the U.S. to promote the stable development of Sino-U.S. relations, while firmly safeguarding its own sovereignty, security, and development interests.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7597725968526000649/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.