China's commerce minister Zhong Shan told new United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer the two sides should strengthen cooperation and manage disputes in trade, according to a statement on the website of China's Ministry of Commerce on Monday.
The two met on Sunday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Lighthizer said in the meeting with Zhong Shan that trade wars are not in the interest of either country, according to the statement from China's commerce ministry.
Disagreements over global trade negotiations came to the fore at the APEC forum, which failed to agree on its usual joint statement after U.S. opposition to wording on fighting protectionism.
