Top officials from the United States and China held a "candid" video call on Tuesday to discuss global economic challenges, especially regarding supply chains.

The exchange between Chinese Vice Premier Liu He and US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen came as President Joe Biden considers lifting some tariffs on imports from China to try and ease soaring inflation.

The world's two biggest economies are also grappling with Covid-snarled supply chains and rising global energy prices.

"The two sides agree that as the world economy is facing severe challenges, it is of great significance to strengthen macro-policy communication and coordination between China and the United States," China's official Xinhua news agency reported.

"And jointly maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is in the interests of both countries and the whole world."

The Xinhua report said the video call took place at the request of the United States, and described the conversation as "constructive".

Yellen and Liu "discussed macroeconomic and financial developments in the United States and China, the global economic outlook amid rising commodity prices and food security challenges", the US Treasury Department said in a readout.

"Secretary Yellen frankly raised issues of concern including the impact of the Russia's war against Ukraine on the global economy and unfair, non-market (Chinese) economic practices."

China has repeatedly refused to condemn the Russian invasion, and has been accused of providing diplomatic cover for Moscow by blasting Western sanctions and arms sales to Ukraine.

With inflation in the United States at 40-year highs, authorities there are rushing to try and find ways to ease price pressures.

Among the options is lifting some of the trade tariffs imposed on China by Biden's predecessor Donald Trump.

Any decision is likely to come soon as some of the Trump duties are set to expire from July 6 unless renewed.

The penalties were aimed at punishing what the United States says are China's unfair trade practices.

In the call with Yellen Tuesday, China "expressed its concern about issues including the lifting of additional tariffs on China and sanctions by the US side", according to Xinhua.

Contact is expected in the coming weeks between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Markets mostly up on talk Biden to roll back some China tariffs
Hong Kong (AFP) July 5, 2022 - Most markets rose Tuesday on growing speculation US President Joe Biden is about to roll back some of the Trump-era tariffs on Chinese goods as he looks for ways to rein in inflation, though sentiment remains at a premium owing to fears of a recession.

The mood on trading floors has become increasingly gloomy in recent months as observers warn that sharp interest rate hikes aimed at curbing price rises could cause a contraction, compounding uncertainty caused by Russia's war in Ukraine.

Still, equities were on the up Tuesday on talk that the White House is about to remove duties on some of the hundreds of billions of dollars worth of imports from China, with reports saying an announcement could come this week.

With some of the tariffs due to expire soon, officials in Washington have been discussing the measures with an eye on inflation, which is sitting at four-decade highs.

And in a sign that something could be on the cards, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Vice Premier Lui He had held discussions.

"The two sides agree that as the world economy is facing severe challenges, it is of great significance to strengthen macro-policy communication and coordination between China and the United States," it said.

"And jointly maintaining the stability of the global industrial and supply chains is in the interests of both countries and the whole world."

Reports also said that Biden was considering launching new probes into industrial subsidies -- allowing for more targeted measures in strategic areas -- to appease China hawks.

Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Seoul, Taipei, Mumbai, Wellington, Manila and Jakarta were all in positive territory. However, Shanghai gave up early gains and ended marginally down, while Singapore was also off.

London dipped but Paris and Frankfurt were up in early trade.

US markets were closed Monday for a holiday.

"Given that inflation remains the White House public enemy number one, (investors are) leaning toward a gradual rollback of some China tariffs as it would reduce end costs to US consumers," said SPI Asset Management's Stephen Innes.

However, some commentators said that while the removal of some tariffs would be widely welcomed by traders, they were unlikely to have a long-lasting effect on inflation.

"Markets are likely to react positively on a knee-jerk because at this point we are hungry for any signs of positive news," Charu Chanana, of Saxo Capital Markets, said.

"But we don't see the move impacting the global growth and inflation dynamics in a significant way."

Oil prices were mixed as traders assess the market with demand outstripping supplies as the Ukraine war rages with no sign of an end, while investors are keeping tabs on China as it sees fresh Covid outbreaks that have led to some cities being put into lockdown.

Months-long flare-ups in Shanghai and Beijing earlier in the year saw millions of people ordered to stay home, sending shockwaves through the domestic economy and battering supply chains.

"China is the real wildcard here: it's going to be two steps forward, one step back," said Australia & New Zealand Banking Group's Daniel Hynes.

"A demand recovery in China could potentially offset weakness in developed economies as central banks tighten monetary policy."

- Key figures at around 0810 GMT -

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.0 percent at 26,423.47 (close)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 21,853.07 (close)

Shanghai - Composite: FLAT at 3,404.03 (close)

London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.3 percent at 7,208.64

Dollar/yen: UP at 136.00 yen from 135.69 yen Monday

Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0400 from $1.0431

Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2068 from $1.2116

Euro/pound: UP at 85.09 pence from 86.09 pence

West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.7 percent at $110.26 per barrel

Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 0.4 percent at $113.00 per barrel

New York - Dow: Closed for public holiday

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EU beefs up powers to vet unfair foreign subsidies
Brussels (AFP) June 30, 2022
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