Ministry of Commerce: The Sino-US economic and trade teams are maintaining close exchanges on issues such as tax cuts

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 17, the Ministry of Commerce held a regular press conference. Press spokesman He Yadong said in response to a question about the latest progress in negotiations between China and the US on the 30 billion US dollar mutual tariff reduction arrangement, that at present, the economic and trade teams of China and the US are maintaining close exchanges on related topics, and the relevant progress will be announced in due course.

At the press conference, in response to related questions, He Yadong said that the Chinese side has noticed that the European Commission has issued draft legislation on the “Public Procurement Law.” The Act establishes a “European priority” clause, and also requires the inclusion of non-market factors such as safety in bid evaluation criteria to exclude or restrict enterprises from third countries that do not meet the requirements. The Chinese side is very concerned about this. Since this year, the EU has continuously introduced amendments to the “Cybersecurity Law”, the “Industrial Accelerator Act”, and “Public Procurement Act”. Under the name of cybersecurity and industrial development, the European Union has carried out protectionism, frequently set up discriminatory provisions, and continuously tightened market entry conditions. China urges the European side to abide by WTO rules, keep the market open, amend the discriminatory provisions in the Act, and create a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises to invest and operate in Europe. The Chinese side will pay close attention to the European legislative process and evaluate the relevant impact in a timely manner.

The transcript is as follows:

Ministry of Commerce holds regular press conference (September 17, 2026)

[He Yadong]: Dear Reporters and Friends:

Good afternoon everyone. Welcome to the Ministry of Commerce's regular press conference. I don't have any information I need to share with you today. Willing to answer questions raised by journalists and friends.

Please ask questions below.

[Southern Metropolis Daily Reporter]: Recently, 8 departments including the Ministry of Commerce issued the “Action Plan to Promote Smart Home Consumption”. Can you give us a detailed explanation of the situation?

[He Yadong]: Thank you for your question. I would like to introduce the main elements of the “Action Plan” using four keywords:

The first one is “adaptation of supply and demand.” Companies are encouraged to strengthen smart home research and development and develop customized, order-based, and reservation-based services around high-frequency life scenarios such as residents' daily living, health care, and household cleaning.

The second one is “connectivity.” Accelerate the implementation of mandatory national standards such as smart home connectivity, and promote “single-product intelligence” to “whole-house intelligence.”

The third one is “silver-haired friendly.” Guide enterprises to simplify the operation of smart home products, support dialect recognition, strengthen safety protection, and enable the elderly to better enjoy the convenience brought about by technological progress.

The fourth one is “convenient to home”. Unblock recycling channels for waste homes, extend home renewal services to residents' doorsteps, and open up the “last mile” of smart home consumption. Thank you.

[Daily Economic News Reporter]: Recently, President Xi Jinping attended the BRICS Leaders' Meeting. Can you introduce the latest developments in economic and trade cooperation between China and the BRICS countries? Next year, China will assume the BRICS presidency. Next, what are the plans to promote BRICS economic and trade cooperation?

[He Yadong]: China attaches great importance to economic and trade cooperation with the BRICS countries. The Economic and Trade Ministers Meeting has been held 16 times so far, and has reached more than 60 outcome documents on trade and investment facilitation, support for the multilateral trading system, standards cooperation, supply chain, digital economy, and green development.

At the recently concluded 18th meeting of BRICS leaders, President Xi Jinping proposed the “Trade and Investment Facilitation Initiative”, proposed the establishment of a BRICS special economic zone partnership, and announced that the BRICS Forum on Trade in Services will be held next year. The Ministry of Commerce will actively prepare for next year's economic and trade home events, host the BRICS Trade in Services Forum, cultivate growth points for economic and trade cooperation; empower the BRICS Special Economic Zone China Cooperation Center, and strive to achieve more practical results in the fields of digital economy, artificial intelligence, and green development to help the “Big BRICS” achieve great development. Thank you.

[CCTV Finance Reporter]: Recently, the China Minmetals Chemical Import and Export Chamber of Commerce, together with the China Mining Federation, the China Iron and Steel Industry Association, and nearly 30 industry enterprises, jointly launched the “Self-Regulatory Initiative for Foreign Cooperation and Sustainable Development of Mineral Resources”. What comments does the Ministry of Commerce have on this?

[He Yadong]: We appreciate this initiative. The green and sustainable development of mineral resources has become an important direction for global mining cooperation. The Ministry of Commerce encourages and supports mining enterprises to consciously implement the concept of sustainable development, deepen international economic and trade cooperation on green minerals, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win situation. Thank you.

[Phoenix TV Reporter]: Recently, the European Commission issued the “Public Procurement Act”, which establishes provisions such as “Europe First” to restrict third countries that have not joined the “Government Procurement Agreement” and have not signed relevant free trade agreements with the EU from participating in EU public procurement. Businesses from third countries such as China may be affected. What comments does the Chinese side have on this?

[He Yadong]: The Chinese side notes that the European Commission has issued draft legislation on the “Public Procurement Law”. The Act establishes a “European priority” clause, and also requires the inclusion of non-market factors such as safety in bid evaluation criteria to exclude or restrict enterprises from third countries that do not meet the requirements. The Chinese side is very concerned about this.

Since this year, the EU has continuously introduced amendments to the “Cybersecurity Law”, the “Industrial Accelerator Act”, and “Public Procurement Act”. Under the name of cybersecurity and industrial development, the European Union has carried out protectionism, frequently set up discriminatory provisions, and continuously tightened market entry conditions. China urges the European side to abide by WTO rules, keep the market open, amend the discriminatory provisions in the Act, and create a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for enterprises to invest and operate in Europe. The Chinese side will pay close attention to the European legislative process and evaluate the relevant impact in a timely manner. Thank you.

[Cover News Reporter]: On September 16, European Commission President von der Leyen delivered the 2026 Alliance Address, referring to the trade imbalance between China and Europe, “China Shock 2.0,” and stated that all tools will be used to promote the rebalance of relations between Europe and China. What comments does the Chinese side have on this?

[He Yadong]: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant situation. What I want to emphasize is that China's position and attitude are consistent and clear. At the same time, we do not engage in “microphone diplomacy” or “war of words.” Thank you.

[US International Market News Service Reporter]: Last week, the Department of Commerce said that China and the US are discussing a $30 billion mutual tariff reduction arrangement. What are the latest developments in the current negotiations? For example, have the parties determined which products will be covered by the relevant arrangement? Are there any unresolved issues at this time?

[He Yadong]: Currently, the economic and trade teams of China and the US are maintaining close exchanges on related topics, and relevant progress will be announced in due course. Thank you.

This article was edited by the Ministry of Commerce, Zhitong Finance Editor: Chen Wenfang.