US, China discuss trade, avoiding protectionism

Top U.S. and Chinese trade officials discussed the importance of working together to restore global economic growth by boosting trade and avoiding protectionism, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative said.

"Particularly during the current difficult global economic circumstance, both the United States and China have a tremendous stake in maintaining a vibrant, open, international trading system to revive and sustain economic growth," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement after meeting with Chinese Commerce Minster Chen Deming.

"With the size and importance of our bilateral trade flows, we also have a shared interest in ensuring our bilateral trade relationship is fair, sustainable and mutually beneficial."

China runs a persistent trade surplus with the United States, which last year hit a record $266.3 billion and has been a source of tension between Beijing and Washington.

Total trade last year between the two countries was $409 billion, according to the U.S-China Business Council.

However, both countries now face a global slump in trade that has cut their exports.

Kirk said he looked forward to working with Chen to finish the long-running Doha round of world trade talks and to tackle bilateral trade disputes through the U.S-China Joint Committee on Commerce and Trade.

Chen was due to speak later on Monday at an event where Chinese companies would sign over 30 contracts said to be worth billions of dollars to American firms.

Chen met earlier on Monday with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, the first Chinese American to hold that post.