US officials says China trade talks 'constructive'

Talks to end a worrisome US-China trade battle were "constructive," US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Friday, a sign of hope that Washington and Beijing could seal a deal to avert damage to the global economy.

"They were constructive discussions between both parties, that's all we're going to say," Mnuchin was quoted as saying by CNBC following a two hour negotiating session.

Moments earlier, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He shook hands with both men on the steps of the US Trade Representative's office before driving off.

Mnuchin and US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer then headed for the White House.

At his hotel, Liu told reporters that the talks had gone "fairly well," according to Bloomberg, which nevertheless cited sources saying little progress had occurred. President Donald Trump said Friday he was in no hurry to reach a deal with Beijing, arguing the United States was negotiating from a position of strength.

Just hours earlier, Washington had pulled the trigger on an increase in punitive duties on USD 200 billion in Chinese imports to 25 per cent from 10 per cent, and Beijing responded vowing to take the "necessary countermeasures."