‘We All Hope’ US-China Trade Deal Is Possible by March 1, China's Foreign Ministry Says

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in Beijing sidestepped questions on Feb. 14 about President Donald Trump’s remarks suggesting he might be willing to let the March 1 deadline “slide” for raising the 10 percent Section 301 tariffs to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports if U.S and Chinese negotiators are close to reaching a comprehensive trade agreement. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer are in Beijing for the latest round of trade talks. “We all hope that a deal could be reached,” the spokesperson said. “At present all we could do is ensure that the two delegations could concentrate on having a good round of consultation and work for a mutually accepted and mutually beneficial outcome, which is also to the benefit of the world.”