The United States and China differ on how quickly they can resolve their economic disagreements but not on the general goals, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said today.
Ending a three-day visit to Beijing that began new talks over trade, Mr Paulson said he had substantive discussions on a wide range of issues with Prime Minister Wen Jiabao and President Hu Jintao.
But he declined to say whether talks included tensions over currency reform - a contentious issue.
The swelling US trade deficit with China has spurred moves in Congress to penalise Beijing unless it raises the value of its yuan, which some US industry groups say is held artificially low to make Chinese exports cheaper.
"I find it quite encouraging that there are very few differences on the principles" of the issues, Mr Paulson said, without specifically mentioning China's currency.
The yuan rose today to 7.9163 per dollar, its highest level against the dollar since it was revalued last year.
Mr Paulson turned aside repeated questions about what was discussed on currency flexibility or whether he had been given any indication that Beijing may move more swiftly to let the yuan appreciate.