US, China resume trade negotiations in Washington

WASHINGTON: The US and China resumed talks on Tuesday aimed at ending a fight over Beijing’s technology ambitions ahead of a deadline for a massive US tariff hike.

The White House said the meetings between mid-level delegations in Washington follow talks last week in Beijing that US trade representative Robert Lighthizer said “made headway” on key issues. On Thursday, Lighthizer will lead higher level talks, joined by treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin, secretary of commerce Wilbur Ross, White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro. Leading the Chinese team will be Vice Premier Liu He, Xinhua news agency reported.

Business groups and economists saw Friday’s surprise announcement of further talks this week as a sign that the two counties were making progress.

Both sides have expressed optimism.