China responds to US trade deficit

BEIJING: Responding to remarks by US President Donald Trump, a Chinese spokesperson yesterday said the country never intentionally sought a trade surplus with the US and that some frictions are inevitable.

Trump on Wednesday said the US trade deficit with China was “through the roof ”, calling it “so big and bad that it’s embarrassing saying what the number is”.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China hopes to work out differences through negotiations to “ensure the sound and steady growth of bilateral trade and economic ties”.

“We have never intentionally pursued a trade surplus. The current pattern of China’s trade co-operation with other countries, including the US, is determined by the market.

“In the process of rapid development of bilateral trade and economic relations, it is inevitable for us to encounter some frictions and differences.”

Trump arrives in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit as part of a 10-day swing through Asia. Trade and market access for US products are expected to be high on the agenda.

The US ran up a $347 billion trade deficit with China last year. That was a decrease of 5.5% after hitting an all-time high of $367.2bn in 2015, although it is still far and away the largest the US has with any country.

In an apparent nod to protocol, Trump appeared to shy away from direct confrontation over the issue, saying, “I don’t want to embarrass anybody four days before I land in China, but it’s horrible.”