U.S., Chinese trade talks commence in Washington despite differences

U.S., Chinese trade talks commence in Washington despite differences

U.S. and Chinese trade deputies were set to resume face-to-face trade talks on Thursday after the two of the world’s largest economies attempted to bridge deep policy differences and find a way out of a bitter and already-prolonged trade war.

The negotiations scheduled for Thursday and Friday aim to lay groundwork for high-level talks in early October that will determine whether the two countries would work towards a solution or would head for new and higher tariffs on each other’s exports.

According to sources with knowledge over the talks, the discussion were likely to lean towards agriculture, including demands that China increase purchase of soybeans and other farms shipped out from America.

U.S. President Donald Trump is eager to provide export opportunities for U.S. farmers, one of his key constituencies who have been heavily impacted by China’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. soybeans and other agricultural commodities.