Positive signals on trade

One day after China and the United States ended their latest round of trade talks, the White House issued a statement on Monday saying that the meetings focused on reducing the US' trade deficit by facilitating the supply of agricultural and energy products to meet China's growing consumption needs, which will help support growth and employment in the US.

"The United States officials conveyed President Donald Trump's clear goal for achieving a fair trading relationship with China, and the delegations will now report back to receive guidance on the path forward," the statement said.

Although short and tersely-worded, the statement transmits the unambiguous message that both sides want to push forward bilateral trade negotiations. Such a message comes amid speculation by the Western media that the trade talks between the world's two largest economies over the weekend were not productive.