China US Photo:Global Times

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said on Thursday that China and the US have agreed to hold trade calls in the coming days, confirming earlier media reports that the two sides will hold talks to evaluate the progress over the phase one trade agreement.

Asked about the reports of the possible trade talk, Gao Feng, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM, said that "the two sides have agreed to hold a call in recent days." However, Gao did not offer further details of the call, including the specific time, the format and the topics for the call.

Gao's confirmation came after reports which said a video conference between China and the US over phase one trade deal was reportedly scheduled on August 15 and was delayed and the US officials have constantly sent mixed signals about the talks. 

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he "canceled" talks with China, but media reported on Thursday that US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer "continues to have discussions" with Chinese officials.

Under the phase one deal, senior Chinese and US trade officials would meet every six months to discuss the progress of the phase one trade deal. But bilateral tensions have soured, as the US' relentless crackdowns on China in a wide range of areas from technology to the South China Sea.

Experts have said that Chinese officials, who have repeatedly called the US to create condition for the implementation of the deal, will likely raise issues related to the US crackdown at the meeting.

Global Times