According to official data published on Tuesday, "China’s international trade growth slowed to 3.4 per cent in 2019, affected by the trade war with the US, with which exchanges decreased 10.7 per cent.
After nearly two years of conflict and the exchange of punishing tariffs that have had a negative impact on business investment and global economic growth, President Donald Trump last month announced a “phase one” trade deal with Beijing.
The deal also claims tensions between the two nations as US legislators pass human rights bills critiquing the Chinese government's actions in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said while speaking to the media on Wednesday that both countries were in close contact.
Under the deal, the United States would agree to reduce some tariffs in exchange for a big jump in Chinese purchases of American farm products.
The "phase one" is a partial resolution that is expected to see China boost imports of US agricultural and other goods, while Washington has eased massive tariffs on Chinese imports.
According to the two countries, the phase one agreement addresses issues including technology transfer, intellectual property, trade expansion and the establishment of mechanisms for dispute resolution.
The latest global growth forecasts lowered projections of expansion to 3 per cent this year, 0.2 less than in July, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) figures published in October.
On Wednesday, an American for free trade, a coalition of more than 150 associations said in a letter, "We urge you to reach a Phase One deal with China and take the necessary steps to resolve the ongoing trade dispute".
