China’s ministry of commerce said on Friday that it hopes the economic and trade community will continue to play a role as a stabilizer in its relations with the United States, as this will benefit all countries in the world.

“The current Sino-U.S. relations are facing a complex and severe situation. It is hoped that the U.S business community will continue to play a good role as a bridge between the two countries,” vice-commerce minister Wang Shouwen said in a statement published on the ministry’s website.