BEIJING (Reuters) – The United States and China have agreed to discuss export control enforcement and set up a formal working group on trade issues, the U.S. Department of Commerce said on Monday. , giving Beijing a forum to air its concerns.

The talks should provide a “platform to reduce misunderstandings about US national security policies”, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said after several meetings with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.

A first face-to-face meeting to discuss the application of export controls will be held at the Deputy Secretariat of the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing on Tuesday, the US official added.

“The United States is committed to being transparent about its export control enforcement strategy,” she said, nevertheless ruling out any form of compromise or negotiation from Washington on national security.

Beijing has criticized US measures put in place to block China’s access to advanced semiconductors through export controls, measures the United States will not reverse, said Gina Raimondo.

The White House has begun banning certain U.S. investments in sensitive technologies in China and expects to soon finalize sweeping export restrictions on advanced semiconductors passed in October.

Earlier this month, some elected Republicans in Congress had asked Gina Raimondo not to create an official task force on these issues.

Representatives from the U.S. and Chinese governments as well as private sector actors will participate in this working group “to find solutions to trade and investment issues and advance U.S. commercial interests in China.”

The United States and China also agreed to convene experts from both sides for technical discussions “regarding the strengthening of the protection of trade secrets and confidential business information”, said Gina Raimondo.

(Report David Shepardson; Victor Goury-Laffont)

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