China Keeps US Communication Lines Open as Tensions Flare Up (2)

China has signaled it’s keeping communication channels open with the US after a series of tit-for-tat moves that intensified a confrontation between the world’s two biggest economies.

The Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday reiterated “the door is open” to talks even as it defended China’s decision to implement export curbs on rare earths amid escalating trade tensions in recent weeks.

Separately, Vice Finance Minister Liao Min, a key member of Beijing’s trade negotiating team who’s in Washington this week, has held a meeting with his counterpart at the US Treasury, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. ...