China’s foreign minister calls on US to remove tariff sanctions

BEIJING – Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday called on the new US government to stop the “repression” of Chinese technology companies, as it sets out conditions for US-China cooperation.

Former US President Donald Trump has approved dozens of Chinese companies over the past three years.

Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei is one of the most prominent companies to suffer from the orders and fell from the number one smartphone seller worldwide to sixth place last year due to the sanctions.

China wants the US to remove tariffs and sanctions on companies, and ‘abandon irrational repression of China’s technological advances, thus creating the necessary conditions for China-US cooperation’, Wang said according to an official English translation which was shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. .

Wang also called on the U.S. to support international Chinese students and remove restrictions on cultural groups and media in America. He spoke at a forum in Beijing on the theme “Bringing China-US relations back on track.”

Tensions between the two countries escalate under the Trump administration, which has sought to use levies and blacklists to address years of business complaints about China’s lack of intellectual property protection, forced technology transfer requirements and state dominance in markets. speak.

While it remains unclear exactly what action U.S. President Joe Biden may take, he has maintained a steady tone since taking office about a month ago.

Biden said in a speech to European allies on Friday that “we need to prepare for long-term strategic competition with China.”

Last week, Finance Minister Janet Yellen said that Trump-era tariffs would remain in effect and that any changes would depend on China’s compliance with trade commitments.

Biden is expected to place greater emphasis on human rights issues such as Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet.

Wang reiterated on Monday that these regions are part of China’s “internal affairs” and that relations with the US can only improve if Beijing’s position is respected.

The Chinese ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, also said on Monday that Beijing and Washington should define the boundaries of their foreign policy, pointing out that China’s red line issues include Taiwan, Xinjiang and Tibet, according to Reuters.

Leaders from both countries remain open to cooperation in some areas, such as reducing carbon emissions.

Wang said the two countries could work together to tackle the coronavirus pandemic and support the global economic recovery, stressing that Beijing continues to support U.S. businesses in China.

Analysis released last week by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, along with the upcoming firm Rhodium Group, found that if the U.S. sold half of its direct investment in China, U.S. investors would lose $ 25 billion a year in capital gains . The report calls for policy measures targeted, rather than comprehensive, against China.