China, US discuss tariffs, farm trade at first trade council meeting

China's commerce ministry did not say whether any agreements were reached, only that both sides will continue using the council to address trade concerns, expand cooperation and reduce outstanding issues.

United States and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration, taken on Mar 20, 2025. (Photo: Reuters/Dado Ruvic)

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BEIJING: China and the United States discussed tariff cuts, agricultural trade and other issues at their first trade council meeting on Friday (Nov 13), China's Commerce Ministry said on Saturday, days ahead of an expected leaders' meeting in Shenzhen next week.

"The two sides held candid, in-depth and constructive exchanges on implementing the outcomes of previous China-US economic and trade talks, including tariffs, a reciprocal 'US$30 billion-for-US$30 billion' tariff-cut arrangement, agricultural trade and other issues of mutual concern," the ministry said.

It did not say whether any agreements were reached. Both sides will continue using the council to address trade concerns, expand cooperation and reduce outstanding issues, the ministry added.

Following a September summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in Washington, the two sides proposed a US$60 billion package of reciprocal tariff cuts, including roughly US$17 billion worth of US farm goods that China imported in 2024, but the plan has yet to be finalised.

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