U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin concluded two days of “constructive” trade talks with Beijing officials in Shanghai Wednesday, the White House announced, the first such high-level talks since a breakdown in negotiations between the countries in May. No breakthroughs were announced, however, and the administration said that the next round of talks wouldn’t happen until the fall.
“The two sides discussed topics such as forced technology transfer, intellectual property rights, services, non-tariff barriers, and agriculture,” the White House said in a statement. “The Chinese side confirmed their commitment to increase purchases of United States agricultural exports. The meetings were constructive, and we expect negotiations on an enforceable trade deal to continue in Washington, D.C., in early September.”
The statement didn’t say what agricultural products would be purchased.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters Wednesday that the White House had not significantly shifted its position, blocking progress on the talks. “I believe it doesn’t make any sense for the U.S. to exercise its campaign of maximum pressure at this time,” Hua said. “It’s pointless to tell others to take medication when you’re the one who is sick.”
President Trump had previously downplayed hopes for a deal, implying that Beijing was holding out in the hopes that a Democrat would win the 2020 election. “My team is negotiating with them now, but they always change the deal in the end to their benefit,” he tweeted. “They should probably wait out our Election to see if we get one of the Democrat stiffs like Sleepy Joe. Then they could make a GREAT deal, like in past 30 years, and continue to ripoff the USA, even bigger and better than ever before.”
