China makes Mar-a-Lago summit a priority as US trade war talks continue
- While negotiators work towards final agreement, preparations are under way for the next meeting between President Xi Jinping and US counterpart Donald Trump
- Still ‘big gaps’ between the two sides on technology transfers and other structural issues
Even as Chinese and American negotiators continue to haggle over thorny trade issues in Washington, Beijing has told its officials to make preparations for a Mar-a-Lago summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping their top priority.
Beijing has accepted Washington’s choice of the US president’s private resort in Florida as the venue and preliminary preparations are under way although many details, including the exact date, are still under discussion, a source said.
An earlier proposal by China to hold the summit in its southern island province of Hainan was rejected by the US.
Top trade negotiators from both sides wrapped up their talks on Monday, with Trump announcing a postponement to further tariff increases on Chinese imports.
Several Chinese negotiators stay in Washington to continue talks on thorny trade issues
China’s lead negotiator Liu He has returned to Beijing, leaving some members of the Chinese delegation behind to work with the US negotiating team to clear any remaining blocks to the summit and prepare something for the two leaders to sign.