U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo sat down along with her Chinese language counterpart Wang Wentao in Washington D.C. on Thursday to debate “issues” surrounding bilateral commerce.

Marking the primary cabinet-level alternate between the 2 nations in months, the U.S. talked about American corporations working in China.

In accordance with a readout by the Commerce Division, “The 2 had candid and substantive discussions on points referring to the U.S.-China industrial relationship, together with the general setting in each nations for commerce and funding and areas for potential cooperation.”

Raimondo additionally “raised issues in regards to the current spate of PRC [People’s Republic of China] actions taken in opposition to U.S. corporations working within the PRC,” it mentioned.

The bilateral alternate between Raimondo and Wang comes as market observers preserve a detailed eye on whether or not the U.S. will curb American investments into China, as relations between the world’s largest economies bitter.

The Group of Seven leaders met Hiroshima over the weekend, and vowed to “de-risk and diversify” from Chinese language reliance, including that a few of Beijing’s practices “distort the worldwide financial system.”

The high-level talks come as China reportedly performed inspections on U.S. audit corporations within the mainland over nationwide safety breaches.

Earlier this week, China introduced it would ban some purchases of merchandise from U.S. reminiscence chipmaker Micron — barring operators of “vital info infrastructure” in China after a safety assessment performed by the Our on-line world Administration of China.

In response, the U.S. Commerce Division’s spokesperson mentioned, “We firmly oppose restrictions that don’t have any foundation in truth.” He mentioned the division will interact with the Chinese language authorities to “element” its place and search readability.

Within the launch revealed by China’s Ministry of Commerce after his assembly with Raimondo, Wang additionally raised issues over U.S. insurance policies on semiconductors and export controls.

“The 2 sides agreed to ascertain communication channels to take care of and strengthen exchanges on particular financial and commerce issues and cooperation issues,” it mentioned.

Wang is predicted to satisfy U.S. Commerce Consultant Katherine Tai throughout his go to to the U.S. the place he’s set to attend the Asia-Pacific Financial Cooperation commerce ministers’ assembly.