Trump's China visit raises hope for smoother trade ties: expert

U.S. President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to China could help improve the business environment for American companies operating in the country despite lingering tariff and non-tariff barriers, a U.S. expert said.

Trump will pay a state visit to China from May 13 to 15 at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Monday, Jeff Moon, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China, said China-U.S. trade relations would likely continue to be affected by various tariff and non-tariff measures, but the visit could still help U.S. companies navigate the Chinese market more smoothly.

Moon pointed out that Trump's tariff policies have produced mixed results, adding that tariffs and non-tariff barriers between the two countries are likely to persist.

"Tariffs produce mixed results. President Trump's tariff policies have resulted in significant concessions from some trading partners in the form of reduced tariffs and investment pledges. But tariffs increase costs and throw artificial complications into commercial relationships. My overall view is that I prefer free trade and don't favor either tariffs or non-tariff barriers. But U.S.-China trade relations have always suffered from tariffs and non-tariff barriers and that situation is likely to continue into the indefinite future," he said.

Trump is expected to be accompanied by a delegation of prominent U.S. business leaders during his visit, which Moon said could help companies operating in China and ensure their concerns and suggestions are reflected in policy discussions.

"Corporate executives want geopolitical stability and a level playing field in China. They know how to design and produce superior products and how to compete in foreign markets. But they can't control geopolitical tensions between countries and in world markets. And they can't control the many non-tariff barriers to doing business that they encounter in China. Governments can help address those problems, so that's why it's important for corporate executives to participate in summit events to make sure that their views are heard and factored into policy outcomes," he said.

Trump's China visit raises hope for smoother trade ties: expert

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday called on Pakistan to step up mediation efforts, and contribute to properly addressing issues related to opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the appeal when speaking to Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar over phone.

Dar briefed Wang on Pakistan's recent mediation efforts in facilitating talks between Iran and the United States, thanked China for its support of Pakistan's efforts to promote dialogue, and expressed hope to strengthen coordination with China to jointly play a positive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

Wang reiterated China's principled position and commended Pakistan for facilitating U.S.-Iran talks and helping extend the temporary ceasefire. He expressed hope that Pakistan will maintain confidence and contribute to restoring regional peace at an early date, which is also the common aspiration of the international community.

China will continue to support Pakistan's mediation efforts and make its own contribution toward this end, Wang said.

Noting that China and Pakistan will mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties in a few days, he said that the two sides should jointly hold commemorative activities, maintain close high-level exchanges, strengthen strategic communication, consolidate their ironclad friendship, advance practical cooperation, better safeguard each other's core interests as well as the common interests of China and Pakistan, and promote the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership to new heights.

Wang added that facing a world intertwined with changes and turbulence, the two sides should voice the just position of China and Pakistan on multilateral platforms such as the UN, and jointly uphold multilateralism.

For his part, Dar said that the Pakistani side is willing to take the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to deepen all-round cooperation with China, strengthen multilateral coordination, and work for new progress in the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.

Chinese FM calls on Pakistan to intensify Iran mediation