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Tillerson arrives for Beijing talks on NK and trade
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US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson arrives in China today for talks that will include the crisis over North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs and trade.
Tillerson, who will be in the country until Saturday, will also lay the groundwork for US President Donald Trump’s visit in November, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said.
Tillerson’s visit comes at a time of high tension between the United States and North Korea, which is working to develop nuclear-tipped missiles capable of reaching the US mainland.
On Tuesday, Trump warned North Korea that any US military option against North Korea would be “devastating” for Pyongyang, but said the use of force was not Washington’s first option. China has urged a return to dialogue.
Nauert called China’s steps to implement tougher UN sanctions on North Korea after its recent missile and nuclear tests “significant.”
On Tuesday, the US Treasury announced sanctions against 26 more individuals as part of its non-proliferation designations for North Korea, as well as nine North Korean banks.
“We have a good relationship with China,” Nauert told a regular news briefing, adding that this was evidenced by Tillerson’s second visit to China in his nine months in office.
“China has taken enormous steps in the right direction. There is always more that countries can do, but at this point we want to thank China for the steps it has taken in the right direction.”
In Beijing yesterday, foreign ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular news briefing that Tillerson would be meeting China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Tillerson’s visit follows one by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Yesterday, Ross said he was optimistic about trade talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet in November.
Xi and Trump met for the first time at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida in April. Trump has since played up his personal relationship with Xi, even while criticizing China over North Korea and trade.
Trump is set to make his first visit to China as part of a tour that will also take in regional allies Japan and South Korea, with trade one of the top agenda items.
“The very fact that the two presidents are meeting again this time in Beijing is an important fact,” Ross told reporters in Hong Kong after his talks with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.
“What makes me really optimistic is the good relationship that has developed between the two.
“As for the outcomes of the meeting, the most important thing would be deliverables, specific things, bigger things ... that will help to reduce the trade deficit that the US has with China.”
Ross is due to lead a trade mission to China as part of Trump’s visit.
China’s relationship with the US has been strained by the Trump administration’s criticism of China’s trade practices and by demands Beijing do more to pressure North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons and missile program.
In August, Trump authorized an inquiry into China’s trade practices.
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