High-stakes US-China trade talks resume as deadline approaches

Heather Scott, Agence France-Presse

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/news/02/10/021019_us.jpg"/><figcaption>US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer (2nd right) sits across from China&#x27;s Vice Premier Liu He (left) during the opening of US-China Trade Talks in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building at the White House in Washington, US, January 30, 2019. Leah Millis, File/File Photo</figcaption></figure></div>WASHINGTON - With a March 1 deadline fast approaching, US and Chinese officials resume negotiations next week to prevent escalation of a trade dispute that has major implications for the global economy.China&#x27;s economy already has shown signs of slowing, while the trade war has shaken the confidence of US businesses, as retaliatory tariffs have raised prices and helped choke off a key export market.And President Donald Trump&#x27;s aggressive strategy has failed to produce a reduction in the US trade deficit with China, which he set as a primary goal.Under the looming threat of a surge in tariffs once the 90-day truce expires, financial markets worldwide have lost ground in recent days as comments about the status of the talks turned more cautious.US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will lead the US delegation for the third round of talks on Thursday and Friday in Beijing.While officials seemed optimistic after talks last week in Washington, more recent comments have jarred financial markets, amplifying concerns about how the dispute will affect global growth.US President Donald Trump said Thursday he did not expect to meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before a March 1 deadline for the 2 economic superpowers to reach a deal.Trump had said final resolution of the trade dispute would depend on the meeting with Xi &quot;in the near future&quot; but told reporters it had not yet been arranged.And top White House economist Larry Kudlow said Thursday that while Trump was &quot;optimistic&quot; about prospects for a deal, there remained a &quot;sizable distance&quot; separating the 2 sides.<div>DEADLINE EXTENSION?</div>While China has offered to buy more US soybeans and beef, officials have yet even to agree on a draft of a deal that would address key US concerns, according to media reports.Washington is demanding far-reaching changes from China to address unfair practices it says are deeply unfair, including theft of American intellectual property and the massive Chinese trade surplus.The dispute has escalated to encompass $360 billion in trade between the 2 economic superpowers, and without an agreement by the start of March, the Trump administration is poised to more than double the punitive duties on $200 billion in Chinese goods.However, amid pressure from the business community for the 2 sides to resolve the dispute, CNBC cited a senior administration official saying the March 1 deadline could be pushed back.&quot;Right now it is in place but that is right now,&quot; the official told CNBC. &quot;It could change via telephone.&quot;The White House said there would be a preparatory meeting of senior officials beginning February 11 and the talks would include officials from the Agriculture, Energy and Commerce Departments.The main delegation also includes David Malpass, whom President Donald Trump has nominated to be president of the World Bank and who has worked to limit the bank&#x27;s assistance to Beijing.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/10/19/trumps-world-bank-pick-an-ally-for-the-lenders-critics">Trump&#x27;s World Bank pick, an ally for the lender&#x27;s critics?</a></li></ul>However, strident White House China critic Peter Navarro was not listed as part of the US team.

With a March 1 deadline fast approaching, US and Chinese officials resume negotiations next week to prevent escalation of a trade dispute that has major implications for the global economy.

With a March 1 deadline fast approaching, US and Chinese officials resume negotiations next week to prevent escalation of a trade dispute that has major implications for the global economy.

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High-stakes US-China trade talks resume as deadline approaches

High-stakes US-China trade talks resume as deadline approaches

Heather Scott,

Agence France-Presse

Published Feb 10, 2019 11:26 AM PHT

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US

China

trade

dispute

diplomacy

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