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

Marking the primary cabinet-level change between the 2 international locations in months, the U.S. talked about American firms working in China.

In keeping 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 international locations for commerce and funding and areas for potential cooperation.”

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

The bilateral change between Raimondo and Wang comes as market observers hold an in depth 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 economic 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’s going to ban some purchases of merchandise from U.S. reminiscence chipmaker Micron — barring operators of “vital info infrastructure” in China after a safety overview 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 the truth is.” He mentioned the division will have interaction 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 considerations over U.S. insurance policies on semiconductors and export controls.

“The 2 sides agreed to determine communication channels to keep up and strengthen exchanges on particular financial and commerce considerations and cooperation issues,” it mentioned.

Wang is anticipated 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.