Tech tensions persist but China and US make high-level call to keep talking

In the second high-level exchange between China and the United States in a week, the two countries have agreed to keep channels of communication open.

Amid persistent tensions over trade disputes and technology restrictions, Chinese vice-foreign minister Ma Zhaoxu and his US counterpart Christopher Landau spoke by phone on Thursday, Beijing’s foreign ministry said on Friday morning.

“They exchanged views on China-US relations and important issues of common concern. Both sides agreed to continue to maintain communication,” the ministry said.

01:26

Trump’s Golden Dome shows US ‘obsessed with absolute security’, China says

The US State Department said the two officials discussed “a wide range of issues of mutual interest”.

“They acknowledged the importance of the bilateral relationship to the people of both countries and the world … and agreed on the importance of keeping open lines of communication,” it said.

The US and China are continuing to clash on multiple fronts, with Beijing hardest hit by US President Donald Trump’s announcement of tariffs on trade partners on April 2.

An agreement this month temporarily eased these tariffs to pave the way for future trade talks.

South China Morning Post