US doesn't seek trade war, high official says

Treasury secretary calls relationship with Beijing 'important' and 'complex'

Washington wants to reduce its trade deficit with China by raising US exports rather than seeking a confrontation, United States Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a group of US governors who were in Washington on Tuesday to discuss foreign investment.

"Our objective is not to get into a trade war. This is an important relationship. It's a complex relationship, and it's a big market," he said.