US, China Hold 'Constructive' Call on Implementing Phase 1 Trade Deal

U.S. and Chinese trade officials reemphasized their commitment to the phase one trade agreement (see 2001160022) during a Monday call, said the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, USTR Robert Lighthizer and Vice Premier Liu He participated on the call, which was scheduled for earlier this month before President Donald Trump postponed it (see 2008190030). The call included a discussion on what China has done about intellectual property rights, forced technology transfer and the removal of “impediments to American companies” in the financial services and agricultural sectors, said USTR. The sides also discussed China’s “significant increases in purchases” of U.S. goods and more actions China needs to take to fulfill its phase one commitments. “Both sides see progress and are committed to taking the steps necessary to ensure the success of the agreement,” said USTR. China’s Commerce Ministry called the call a “constructive dialogue," in an unofficial translation. “Both sides agreed to create conditions and atmosphere to continue to promote the implementation" of the phase one deal, it said.