China Vice President He Lifeng expressed his “serious concern” about US new duties in his first contact with US Finance Minister Scott Bessent after Donald Trump’s return to White House, as the world’s two largest economies reopen again a high -level “communication channel”.

The Chinese official also expressed concern about the recent increase in contributions to Chinese goods as well as other restrictions imposed during a video call with Bessent today, according to China’s central television.

The two sides also recognized the importance of China-US economic and trade relations and the countries agreed to maintain communication on matters of mutual interest, the state broadcasting station said.

This is the second communication between senior officials from the two governments since President Trump took over his duties a month ago, following Foreign Minister Marko Rubio’s phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Y.

Bessent’s predecessor, Janet Yellen, had regular communications and meetings He Lifeng, who is responsible for the management of the economy.

Bessed said yesterday that the call would be “really just a first contact”, hoping it would be productive.

He also reiterated calls to China to balance its economy in favor of consumption, adding that it “suppresses the consumer for the sake of the business community”.

He also said that the US wants Beijing to “end” the influx of precursor to fentanyl.

The US imposed a 10% duty on all imports from China, citing a supposed failure to stop the influx of fentanyl components into the country.

China reacted with limited duties and other actions, and this week said that allegations of fentanyl were a “pretext” for duties.

Yellen argued at the end of last year that bilateral dialogue would continue to be considered valuable, arguing that communication was given to senior US officials to facilitate a forum to raise honest issues.

At the end of 2023, he described the delay in contacts with Beijing as “dangerous”.

Trump, on the other hand, stressed this week that it would be possible to reach a new trade deal with China.

“It is possible, it is possible,” Trump told reporters at Air Force One on Wednesday, when asked if he would make a new deal with China.