The South China Morning Post in Hong Kong reported that no progress was made in deputy-level trade talks this week. And Chinese Vice Premier Liu He is set to cut short his trip to Washington. Originally planned to hold two days of meeting on Thursday and Friday, Liu might just leave on Thursday. Though, the rumor was quickly denied by the White House and the spokesman said “We are not aware of a change in the Vice Premier’s travel plans at this time”.
Separately, US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said that “tariffs are finally forcing China to pay attention to our concerns”. Yet, he noted that “trade agreements historically have been very weak on enforcement”. And, “given the magnitude and the complexity of the changes we need, enforcement becomes an extremely critical component of any agreement that we make.”
