US-China Trade Deal To Continue Despite Tensions Over Virus

Despite the current strained relationship between both countries, China and the United States have decided to forge ahead with their trade deal, stating that they will work to “create favourable conditions” for the first phase of their trade deal signed in January.

The Vice Premier Liu He, leading the Beijing's negotiations had a meeting, over the phone, with the United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

The China Ministry of Commerce noted, “Both sides said they should strengthen macroeconomic and public health cooperation, strive to create a favourable atmosphere and conditions for the implementation of the phase one US-China economic and trade agreement, promoting positive results."

READ ALSO: China Hits Back At US, Says No Evidence COVID-19 Emerged From A Chinese Lab

Speaking on the trade deal, the US Trade Representative and Treasury said, “They also agreed that in spite of the current global health emergency, both countries fully expect to meet their obligations under the agreement in a timely manner."

Both countries have also agreed to keep communicating and planning towards a finalised deal.

It is believed that the call made by China's vice premier to the US Trade Rep. would be the first time that both parties have spoken about the deal since it was initially signed in January.

US President Donald Trump had threatened to slap new tariffs on Chinese goods after he claimed that the coronavirus had been engineered in a lab in Wuhan.