Trump says that he will meet the Xi in China after the end of the trade negotiations without any agreement

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump is waiting to meet with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in an attempt to resolve a six-month trade stalemate after the US and Chinese negotiators ended Thursday without addressing the issues. more difficult ones that divide the world. the two largest economies.

The White House said in a statement that both sides had made progress but that "a lot of work remains to be done". Meanwhile, the administration announced that it would respect a "deadline" set for March 2, when it would increase taxes on the import of $ 200 billion in Chinese goods into the country. The absence of an agreement.

"After several months of negotiations, we had two days of very intense and very long discussions," said US Trade Representative Lighthizer.

Lighthizer added, "We have a lot of work to do if we want an agreement, but we have made substantial progress."

Trade hostilities between the United States and China have weakened both economies, shaken the financial markets and clouded the outlook for world trade. Analysts have little hope that the two countries will reach a comprehensive agreement over the next month.

At the heart of the conflict, there is the demand of the United States that Beijing cease to carry out predatory actions – from intellectual theft to the forced transfer of technology by American companies – on the way to becoming a world power in areas such as robotics and the electric car. The Trump administration also complains that Beijing is unfairly subsidizing its own technology companies.

China has denied using such tactics. Deputy Prime Minister Liu He led the Chinese side.

After negotiations ended on Thursday, Trump spoke enthusiastically about China's commitment to buy more American soybeans. But he acknowledged that Xi and he should reach a final agreement on much more controversial technological issues. And Trump said it might require more than one meeting with Xi.

"There are some things we do not agree on, but we will agree," the president told reporters. "I think when Xi and I meet, every point will be approved."