Economic and trade cooperation between Chinese provinces and US states serves as an indispensable component of bilateral economic and trade relations, while also functioning as a vital platform and channel for both sides to enhance their trade and economic exchanges, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

Addressing China-US soybean trade during a news conference in Beijing, He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, said the US side should take positive measures, cancel unreasonable tariffs, create conditions for expanding bilateral trade, and inject greater stability and certainty into global economic development.

He made the remarks after Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative with the Ministry of Commerce and vice-minister of commerce, met with political and business leaders from the Midwest US in Beijing on Monday. The two sides exchanged views on topics including China-US economic and trade relations and sub-national economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The ministry said the essence of China-US economic and trade relations lies in mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation, adding that the two countries share extensive common interests and broad prospects for economic and trade cooperation.

"Currently, the main barrier to normal China-US economic and trade cooperation arises from the unilateral restrictive measures imposed by the United States. It is our hope that the US will join hands with China to foster enabling conditions for the stable, healthy and sustainable development of Sino-US economic and trade ties," He said.