No resolution as US-China trade war talks end and Beijing delegation reportedly prepares to leave Washington
- US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said negotiations had concluded for the day but still characterised them as constructive
- After raising tariffs on US$200 billion of Chinese imports, USTR warns of new tariffs on another US$300 billion
Negotiations to end the US-China trade war came to a surprisingly early close in Washington on Friday with no resolution – reportedly just hours before the Chinese delegation were to return to Beijing.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters at noon that the talks had been constructive as he left the US trade representative’s office, where negotiators held their latest round of talks in an attempt to end a months-long trade dispute.
US President Donald Trump later echoed that assessment via Twitter, while US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer’s office said a further escalation is being prepared.
“The relationship between President Xi and myself remains a very strong one, and conversations into the future will continue,” Trump said. “In the meantime, the United States has imposed Tariffs on China, which may or may not be removed depending on what happens with respect to future negotiations!”
Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of Chinese state media tabloid Global Times, said the delegation from Beijing was expected to leave the US on Friday afternoon, after a total of just three hours of discussions over two days plus a working dinner on Thursday evening.