China on Thursday said that it has made plans with the United States for talks in January aimed at ending a tariff battle that threatens global trade.

Talking to media, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesman, Gao Feng said, the two sides have made specific arrangements for face-to-face meetings. Mr Gao said, both sides are maintaining close communication.

US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed early this month to postpone more tariff hikes for 90 days while their governments negotiate over US complaints that Beijing steals or pressures foreign companies to hand over technology.

President Trump agreed to postpone tariff hikes on 200 billion dollars of Chinese imports planned for 1st of next month.

Beijing responded by announcing a delay in a 25 per cent duty on imported US vehicles.