US and Chinese officials begin trade talks in Washington

A Chinese delegation arrived at the US Treasury Department on Wednesday for the start of the first round of trade negotiations between US and Chinese officials in more than two months, Reuters reports.

Industry and consumers groups in the US hope that the talks will help to avert a further escalation of the burgeoning trade war between the world’s two largest economies, but expectations among US government officials appear to be low.

President Donald Trump talked down the possibility of a resolution on Monday. US Customs and Border Protection confirmed yesterday that it is ready to introduce 25% tariffs on a further $16 billion of Chinese imports at 12:01 am EDT on Thursday. The goods affected will include semiconductors, chemicals, plastics, motorbikes and electric scooters.