FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

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U.S.-China Trade Talks Begin in Beijing with High Expectations

Jan. 7, 2019 (EIRNS)—The leading economic advisor to Chinese President Xi Jinping, Vice Premier Liu He, was an unexpected participant in the opening session of trade talks today between China and the Trump Administration. The talks were scheduled to be conducted by deputy-level officials, with the U.S. delegation headed by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jeffrey Gerrish. Liu’s appearance signals the importance which China places on the talks. Liu is tentatively scheduled to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer later this month.

While no results of today’s meeting were announced, pictures of the meeting show nearly 100 Chinese representatives, and perhaps 50 from the U.S., who will break into many separate groups over the coming days to work on details of the trade issues. Both sides have been optimistic about the potential for finding agreements on key issues before the March 1 deadline set by Presidents Trump and Xi at the G20 summit on Dec. 1.