China Still Coming To U.S. For Talks, Despite Tweets

China said it still plans to send a delegation to Washington D.C. this week for trade talks, despite President Trump’s announcement he plans to hike tariffs on Chinese goods.  Trump tweeted plans over the weekend to increase from 10% to 25% tariffs on $200-billion in goods.  The tariffs, Administration officials say, are an effort to dissuade the Chinese from backtracking on subsidy, cyber and other commitments.  Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer says the U.S. is not backing down from its demands.

“We can compete with anyone in the world, but we must have rules, enforced rules, that make sure market outcomes, not state capitalism, and technology theft, determine winners. President Trump, for years, has recognized this very serious, and I would say, existential problem, and he is determined to take action to defend our workers, farmers and ranchers, and our economic system.”

Key Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are urging Trump to “hang tough,” and not back down.  Lighthizer is still hopeful the latest talks this week, assuming they happen, will be a turning point in reaching a historic trade deal.

"If we can complete this effort, and again, I say 'if,' and can reach a solution to the all-important, outstanding issue of enforceability, as well as some other concerns, we might be able to have an agreement that helps us turn the corner, in our economic relationship with China."

Lighthizer said China has a record of breaking trade commitments, but the tariff war has cost U.S. agriculture billions in losses.

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