China’s Commerce Ministry announced on Tuesday afternoon that Vice Premier Liu He, one of the country’s leading economic policymakers, would join a delegation of Chinese officials traveling to Washington for further trade talks on Thursday and Friday with the Trump administration. Robert E. Lighthizer, the United States trade representative, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin had said at a news conference on Monday in Washington that they expected Chinese officials to come to Washington late this week for trade talks. But the participation of Mr. Liu may increase the odds of substantial progress on a deal. Mr. Liu is a close adviser and confidant of President Xi Jinping, China’s top leader. Mr. Mnuchin said on Monday that if the Chinese trade delegation brought a new proposal on Thursday, administration officials would review it and relay it to the president.

Source: New York Times May 07, 2019 06:45 UTC