PHOTO: FILE
US President Donald Trump, who announced last month that the Phase 1 trade deal with China would be signed on January 15, said on Thursday the agreement could be signed “shortly thereafter.”
In an interview with the ABC TV affiliate in Toledo, Ohio, Trump said: “We’re going to be signing on January 15th - I think it will be January 15th, but shortly thereafter, but I think January 15th - a big deal with China.”
Trump announced the January 15 signing date in a tweet on December 31.
‘China-US trade war to ease but conflicts will persist’
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for clarification of Trump’s comments.
The Phase 1 deal, struck last month, is expected to reduce tariffs and boost Chinese purchases of American farm, energy and manufactured goods while addressing some disputes over intellectual property.
Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, head of the country’s negotiating team in Sino-US trade talks, will sign the deal in Washington next week, China’s commerce ministry said on Thursday.
Liu will visit Washington from January 13-15, said Gao Feng, spokesperson at the commerce ministry.
Negotiating teams from both sides remain in close communication on the particular arrangements of the signing, Gao told reporters at a regular briefing.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ