China’s trade representative Li Chenggang conducted meetings in the United States, between August 27-29, engaging with US officials regarding economic and trade relationships between the two nations, according to the Chinese commerce ministry on Saturday, quoted by Reuters.During his visit, Li conducted meetings with officials from the US department of the treasury, department of commerce, and office of the US trade representative to discuss the progress of previously established agreements.Li emphasised that both nations should address their differences and strengthen collaborative efforts through balanced discussions and consultations.This comes as the US Senate Armed Services Committee visited Taiwan on Friday to “reemphasize the partnership and the security, friendship agreement” between the two sides, at a time when both Taipei and Beijing are seeking trade deals with Washington.The US does not formally recognize Taiwan as a country but remains its largest arms supplier and key security partner, with their forces frequently conducting joint military drills to counter China. Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its own territory, has repeatedly objected to deepening US-Taiwan ties, condemning such visits and accusing Washington of endangering peace. On Friday, China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its firm opposition to any official exchanges between the US and Taiwan.However, earlier this month, amid the tense China-Taiwan situation, Trump had said that Chinese President Xi Jinping had assured him China would not invade Taiwan during his presidency, Reuters reported. The comments came in a Fox News interview ahead of Trump’s talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. “I will tell you, you know, you have a very similar thing with President Xi of China and Taiwan, but I don’t believe there’s any way it’s going to happen as long as I’m here. We’ll see,” Trump told Fox News’ Special Report. “He told me, ‘I will never do it as long as you’re president.’ President Xi told me that, and I said, ‘Well, I appreciate that,’ but he also said, ‘But I am very patient, and China is very patient,’” Trump added.
