Senior officials from China and the United States concluded high-stakes discussions in Madrid this week, addressing critical trade tensions and the ongoing debate over TikTok's operations. The talks marked a rare moment of diplomatic engagement amid growing technological competition between the two economic powers.
Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative, emphasized both nations' recognition of their shared responsibility in maintaining global economic stability. "A stable China-U.S. economic relationship isn't just about our two countries – it's about preventing shockwaves across international markets," he stated during a press briefing.
The TikTok debate took center stage, with China reiterating its opposition to what it called "the weaponization of technology trade." Beijing maintains it will not accept agreements that compromise Chinese companies' interests or international fairness, while continuing to regulate technology exports through established legal frameworks.
Analysts suggest these discussions could set the tone for future negotiations on digital trade standards and cross-border data flows – issues becoming increasingly vital as Asian tech firms expand their global footprint.
