Lighthizer, Mnuchin to travel to China for latest round of trade talks

United States Trade Representative Robert LighthizerRobert (Bob) Emmet LighthizerChinese, US negotiators fine-tuning details of trade agreement: report The Trump economy keeps roaring ahead Trump says no discussion of extending deadline in Chinese trade talks MORE and Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinDems plot next move in Trump tax-return battle On The Money: House Dem says marijuana banking bill will get vote in spring | Buttigieg joins striking Stop & Shop workers | US home construction slips in March | Uber gets B investment for self-driving cars Former Sears holding company sues ex-CEO, Mnuchin and others over ‘asset stripping’ MORE will go to Beijing for trade talks beginning April 30, the White House announced Tuesday.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He will head the negotiations for China and then bring a delegation to Washington for additional talks beginning May 8, the White House said in a statement. 

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The negotiations will cover trade topics including intellectual property, forced technology transfer, non-tariff barriers, agriculture, services, purchases and enforcement.

Washington and Beijing have engaged in a series of tit-for-tat trade measures against each other over the past year, with President TrumpDonald John TrumpRussia’s election interference is a problem for the GOP Pence to pitch trade deal during trip to Michigan: report Iran oil minister: US made ‘bad mistake’ in ending sanctions waivers MORE frequently railing against Beijing’s trade practices and intellectual property theft, among other things.

Mnuchin said earlier this month that the two countries had agreed on a mechanism for enforcing the trade deal. Trump has also said they are moving closer to a deal. 

“If we have a deal there’ll be a summit,” he said earlier this month. 

Trump has imposed $250 billion worth of tariffs on Chinese imports. China retaliated with tariffs of its own on billions in American agricultural exports.

Both sides in December agreed to halt new tariffs. They further extended the pause in February. Trump at the time said “substantial progress” was being made in the negotiations.