From left: US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, meet on February 2, 2019 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

The two sides will continue these talks as appropriate, said one official, declining to provide any details on what was discussed or the next steps to be taken.

The Trump administration said the same day that the US will exempt from hefty tariffs 110 Chinese products, ranging from medical equipment to key capacitors. This move could be the first step in easing the US-China trade war.