Lighthizer Working Trade Deals in China and Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – Trade tensions between the United States and China continue but tensions between Democratic members in the House and the U.S. Trade Ambassador (USTR) appear to be weakening. On the Chinese front, U.S. Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin are planning to be in Beijing next week to meet with their counterparts as both sides try to put an agreement on paper. The agreement, referred to as a Phase One deal by President Trump, has been negotiated and now the administration wants to confirm that the Chinese text and the English-language text are the same. If so, reports suggest that Trump and Chinese leader Xi Xinping will sign the accord next month in Chile. At the same time, Lighthizer has been meeting with Democratic members of the House Ways and Means Committee – also known as the Democratic USMCA Working Group – to find a pathway to yes for the trade deal with Canada and Mexico. Chairman of the House Committee, Richard Neal, has told reporters that he “actually feel(s) pretty good about this.” Mexico has ratified the agreement and Canada is waiting on Congress. Once an agreement between the White House and House Democrats is made, Trump will officially send the agreement to Congress for their approval.