US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen began two days of talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng as part of US attempts to resolve tensions with Beijing and maintain dialogue on a range of issues, from climate change to trade and defense.
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco next week.
According to analysts, Yellen’s talks with He Lifeng are another attempt to ensure that China does not refuse to participate in the meeting between the two heads of state.
In her speech to the Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Yellen said that “the United States does not intend to sever relations with China.”
But when Washington has concerns about “specific economic practices, such as those that prevent American businesses and workers from competing on a level playing field, we will communicate those concerns directly,” the Treasury secretary added.
