The United States continues to face very serious problems in its economic and trade relations with China that require the administration's full attention, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai told Reuters ahead of talks with Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Liu He.

"During their candid exchange, Ambassador Tai discussed the guiding principles of the Biden-Harris administration’s worker-centered trade policy and her ongoing review of the U.S.-China trade relationship, while also raising issues of concern," the USTR said.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce described the talks as "a candid, pragmatic and constructive exchange". 

"Both sides view the development of bilateral trade as very important. (Both sides) exchanged views on issues of mutual concern and agreed to maintain communication."

This was the first official meeting between trade leaders of the two largest economies in the world since the inauguration of US President Joe Biden.

"The overall challenges that we have with China are also still there and they are very large," Tai said.

According to her, the first phase of the US-China trade deal should be seen in the context of common US-China trade and economic relations, which are very, very difficult. And they demand everyone's attention. 

The two countries signed a trade agreement in January 2020 - shortly before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The agreement calls on China to increase purchases of US agricultural, industrial goods, energy, and services by $ 200 billion in 2020 and 2021 from the 2017 baseline.