US War Ships Sail In Disputed Islands As Trade Talks With China Begins
The resumption of trade talks with United States has left a positive impression on China. However, the presence of US War ships in the disputed South China Sea has dampened the negotiations to a certain extent.
White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway seemed confident with the outcome of the talks.
When asked in an interview with Fox news, if the two countries were getting close to a trade agreement, she responded, “It looks that way, absolutely.”
Meanwhile, at a news briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying expressed optimism and said “We, of course, hope, and the people of the world want to see, a good result.”
The two nations have been trying to reach an agreement before the March 1 deadline otherwise US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports will be increased to 25 per cent from 10 per cent.
On the same day that the negotiations resumed, two US warships sailed near islands claimed by China in the disputed South China Sea.
Washington was alarmed by China’s construction of air bases and artificial islands at the disputed islands in South China Sea.
Hua was not pleased with this occurrence and when asked if this would in any way affect trade talks, Hua said that, “a series of U.S. tricks” clearly revealed what Washington was thinking.
Hua stressed, that despite the US navy mission, China’s government still believes that trade frictions can be resolved through negotiation as this is done for the sake of the citizens of both nations and of global economic growth.
US President Donald Trump said that he will not meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping before the March 1 deadline.
Conway said that a meeting might take place and Trump intends to settle a deal with China for as long as it is “fair to Americans, and American workers and American interests.”
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