US invites public comments on new trade body to manage China ties – Firstpost

The United States has launched a public consultation process on a new government-to-government trade mechanism with China, marking the latest step in the Trump administration’s effort to reshape economic ties with Beijing through what officials describe as a more balanced and reciprocal trading relationship.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) said on Wednesday it had published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comments on the development of a US-China Board of Trade, a new body intended to oversee bilateral trade relations on an ongoing basis.

The agency is also inviting feedback on categories of non-sensitive products that could potentially be considered for tariff modifications by both countries as part of efforts to improve trade balance and market access.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States and China have established a Board of Trade to ensure that trade with China is more balanced and beneficial for Americans,” US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement.

Greer said the administration would work with stakeholders to identify areas of trade that could deliver benefits for American farmers, ranchers, fishermen, manufacturers, small businesses and workers while continuing to use tariffs to protect US economic and national security interests.

The deadline for submitting comments is July 10, while rebuttals and responses to those submissions can be filed until July 27.

The consultation process follows agreements reached during President Donald Trump’s visit to China last month, where he and Chinese President Xi Jinping unveiled a framework aimed at stabilising commercial ties after years of tariff disputes and escalating strategic competition.

As part of that framework, Washington and Beijing agreed to establish a Board of Trade tasked with identifying non-strategic goods that could be eligible for tariff reductions or exemptions. The mechanism is expected to serve as a permanent channel for managing trade issues between the two countries.

The move signals a shift in the administration’s approach towards China. Rather than seeking broad structural changes in the Chinese economy, US officials have increasingly emphasised a “managed trade” strategy focused on selective market access, targeted tariff relief and continued restrictions in areas linked to national security.

Greer has previously indicated that the administration is examining roughly $30 billion worth of non-sensitive goods that could potentially qualify for tariff adjustments under the new framework. However, he has also made clear that the United States has no plans to dismantle its broader tariff regime on Chinese imports.