Washington: US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo he told his Chinese counterpart on Thursday Wang Wentao Among his “concerns” are the restrictions Beijing has taken against US companies amid diplomatic tensions.
The two officials, who were meeting in Washington on Thursday, had “frank and substantive discussions on matters related to US-China trade relations, including the two countries’ overall climate on trade and investment and areas of potential cooperation.” Trade said in a statement.
China’s Ministry of Commerce also said the two had a “frank, professional and constructive exchange”.
Wang Wentao expressed his “major concerns about the United States’ economic and trade policies toward China,” and in particular “about semiconductor-related policies,” specifies the Chinese ministry’s press release.
According to the US statement, Gina Raimondo “raised concerns about the recent series of actions that China has taken against US companies operating in this country.”
Beijing on Sunday imposed restrictions on US semiconductor giant Micron, saying its chips “expose potential network security issues” and threaten “China’s national security”.
Washington, through the voice of a State Department spokesperson, had already expressed its “very serious concerns” about this specific issue on Monday.
The semiconductor sector is highly strategic and has already been the subject of tensions between the two countries, as the US has also restricted sales of high-tech electronic chips to China.
In general, tensions are high between the two superpowers who are engaged in fierce competition, be it diplomatic, military, technological or economic, and are at odds on several diplomatic grounds such as Taiwan and Russia.
They got a little up in February due to a flight over American soil by a Chinese zeppelin, which was shot down.
However, Washington and Beijing have resumed high-level contacts in recent weeks.
Wang Wentao’s visit to Washington marks a rare trip to the United States for a senior official in Beijing.
The Commerce Department said Thursday that his meeting with Gina Raimondo “was part of ongoing efforts to keep lines of communication open and manage the relationship responsibly.
