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.”
