BEIJING – On the day Governor Bill Walker and dozens of Alaskan business leaders arrived in China for the Opportunity Alaska: China Trade Mission, leading officials from the United States and China announced they are taking measures to reduce trade tensions between the two nations. Delegations from each country met last week in Washington, D.C., resulting in an agreement to increase Chinese imports of U.S. goods and services, including energy and natural resources.

Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross was a lead member of the U.S. delegation. Secretary Ross spoke with Governor Walker last week to update him on the status of negotiations, and to discuss the role of Alaska’s trade mission.

Vice Premier Liu He led the Chinese delegation. Immediately upon his Sunday return to Beijing from talks in the U.S., the Vice Premier met with Governor Walker, Alaska Gasline Development Corporation President Keith Meyer, and Alaska Office of International Trade Director Shelley James.

“Thanks to President Trump and President Xi Jinping for working together to improve trade relations between our two countries. As a result, the timing of Alaska’s trade mission could not be better,” Governor Walker said. “The Alaska LNG project is key to reducing the trade imbalance between the U.S. and China. More broadly, Alaska has an array of businesses and organizations prepared to lay groundwork for more economic and cultural ties between our nations. We can and will prosper together. I am excited to showcase what Alaska has to offer in the coming week.”

  Alaska, China, tensions, trade, us, walker