The White House confirmed in a statement that US-China trade negotiations will resume on Tuesday, today, in Washington. High-level talks will start on Thursday as led by US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, economic adviser Larry Kudlow and trade adviser Peter Navarro would also take part in the talks. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is expected to join the meeting on Thursday and Friday too.
White House said the talks are “aimed at “achieving needed structural changes in China that affect trade between the United States and China”. And, “the two sides will also discuss China’s pledge to purchase a substantial amount of goods and services from the United States.”
A memorandum of understanding of some sort is expected at the conclusion of the meeting, acting as the framework for the trade agreements to be detailed. If the teams are able to deliver the MOU, it should then be known what kind of structural reforms China has agreed to take. For now, no detail is leaked on the core issues regarding IP theft, forced technology transfer, subsidies on State-Owned Enterprises, and enforcement of the agreement.
