China and the United States said on Monday the two countries held "constructive" trade and economic talks in Paris.

China's International Trade Representative Li Chenggang told reporters that the two sides discussed establishing a bilateral working mechanism to promote cooperation in trade and investment, as well as issues including extending the suspension of tariffs and other trade measures.

Li described the talks as in-depth, candid and constructive.

He said Beijing and Washington agreed that stable bilateral economic and trade relations are beneficial to both countries and the world.

"In this round of consultations, China and the United States further recognised that a stable China-US trade and economic relationship is good for both countries and beneficial to the world," Li said.

"Through the consultations, the two sides have already achieved some preliminary consensus on some of the topics, and will continue to engage in consultations going forward."

Vice Premier He Lifeng led the Chinese delegation in the talks held on Sunday and Monday.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who headed the American delegation, also described the talks as constructive.

"They were constructive and they show the stability of the relationship," he told journalists.

The negotiations were widely seen as setting the stage for US President Donald Trump's visit to Beijing.

Washington had previously said Trump would visit China from March 31 to April 2, though White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News on Monday that "it's quite possible the meeting could be delayed" due to the Iran war.

Bessent said if the visit was delayed, it would be due ⁠to Trump's ⁠need to stay in ⁠Washington and not because ⁠of China abstaining from action on the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict.

Speaking to US broadcaster CNBC from Paris, Bessent said a presidential trip abroad "may not be optimal" during a time of military conflict.

"We will see whether the visit takes place as scheduled. But what I do want to parse – and there's a false narrative out there – that if the meetings are delayed, it wouldn't be delayed because the president's demanded that China police the Strait of Hormuz," he said.

"If the meeting for some reason is rescheduled, it would be rescheduled because of logistics.

"The president wants to remain in DC to coordinate the war effort, and travelling abroad at a time like this may not be optimal."

Trump earlier called on China and six other countries to send warships to keep the strait open, but his appeals have brought no commitments. (Agencies)


Edited by Edmond Fong