China Talks Discussed Trade Deficit, Fairness

Mid-level trade talks in Beijing discussed "ways to achieve fairness, reciprocity, and balance in trade relations between our two countries," according to a summary of the three days of talks released Jan. 9 by the U.S. Trade Representative. They also focused on China's pledge to buy more agricultural products, energy, and other goods and services, in order to address the persistent trade deficit. The summary said they discussed how there could be effective verification and enforcement of any deal. The US-China Business Council reacted to the round by saying "progress should include a mechanism for the removal of tariffs and measurable, commercially meaningful outcomes."