China sees 'no difference' with US on trade deal

China said Tuesday there was "no difference" with the United States on reaching a trade agreement, amid scepticism over what US President Donald Trump has called a "substantial phase one" deal.

On Friday, Trump said after talks in Washington with Vice Premier Liu He that the two sides had reached an initial agreement, but while Beijing said progress was made it never stated that a deal was struck at the meeting.

Asked at a regular press conference on Tuesday if Washington and Beijing had the same approach on a deal, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said:

"What the US has said is the actual situation -- it is consistent with our understanding of the situation."

Geng added: "Both sides are in consensus about the issue of reaching an economic and trade agreement, there is no difference." US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Monday that US and Chinese officials will continue to hold talks by phone this week to finalise the deal.

Trump said the agreement included a ...