He Lifeng Holds Video Call with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent, China Raises Concerns Over Trade Restrictions
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On the evening of July 30, Vice Premier He Lifeng spoke with Treasury Secretary Bessent and Trade Representative Greer by video, following up on the Beijing summit consensus; China formally raised concerns over recent US trade restrictions, and both sides agreed to keep the negotiation mechanism active.
What did the call cover?
The two sides discussed how to implement the consensus reached at the leaders' Beijing summit — maintaining stable trade ties, expanding practical cooperation, and addressing each other's concerns.
Xinhua described the exchange as "candid, in-depth, and constructive." This means → real disagreements exist, but the tone stayed within a manageable range.
China formally raised serious concerns over recent US trade restrictions, putting the issue squarely on the negotiation table.
What does China's "serious concern" signal?
Xinhua's phrasing — "recent US trade-restriction measures against China" — names no specific policy, but the signal is clear: Beijing views newly imposed restrictions as crossing a line.
In plain terms = "serious concern" sits one level above "attention" in China's diplomatic vocabulary — it means "we consider this a problem, and we expect a response."
This reflects China's choice to raise its objections inside the negotiation channel rather than in a public confrontation — still favoring managed friction over escalation.
What did both sides agree on?
Both sides agreed to further leverage the US-China trade negotiation mechanism under the strategic guidance of the two leaders.
The three operative phrases: strengthen communication, build trust, and expand cooperation.
This means → the channel stays open; in the near term, US-China trade relations are likely to remain in a "talk-while-managing" mode rather than heading toward decoupling.
Content is for reference only, not financial advice.