China Urges Walmart to Boost Procurement Despite Trade Tensions

China's vice commerce minister, Sheng Qiuping, met with Walmart's Dan Bartlett to encourage increased procurement efforts by the U.S. retail giant in China. Despite ongoing trade tensions, Walmart has been pressuring Chinese suppliers to lower prices in response to U.S. tariffs.

In a significant development amid ongoing trade tensions, China's Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping held a meeting with Walmart's Senior Executive Dan Bartlett. The discussion, reported by China's commerce ministry, centered on encouraging the U.S. retail giant to enhance its procurement activities within China.

This diplomatic engagement comes at a critical juncture, given the height of the U.S.-China trade conflict earlier this year. In April, it was reported that Walmart continued to pressure Chinese suppliers to lower prices as a countermeasure to tariffs imposed by the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.

The meeting highlights an ongoing effort to maintain commercial ties despite the challenging backdrop of international trade disputes, further emphasizing China's strategic intent to deepen economic interactions with global retail leaders like Walmart.

(With inputs from agencies.)