US Trade Representative says little progress seen from recent trade talks

United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer did not see meaningful progress on key structural issues during last week’s talks between US and Chinese representatives in Beijing, according to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.

Grassley said that Lighthizer welcomed China’s decision to resume soybean purchases during the 90-day truce period.

“But he (Lighthizer) said that there hasn’t been any progress made on structural changes that need to be made,” Grassley told reporters, giving intellectual property and forced information sharing as examples.

Reuters also reported that Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, who leads China’s delegation in trade negotiations, has accepted an invitation to visit Washington to continue talks later this month.

“From my point of view … the economy of China is suffering … there is a chance for progress,” said Grassley.