MNI INTERVIEW:US May Send Officials To China For Talks:Advisor

     BEIJING(MNI) - The U.S. could send officials to China for talks in a bid to

clinch a phase-one preliminary trade deal by the end of the year, a senior

advisor to China's cabinet told MNI, adding that the main issue to be resolved

was whether the U.S. would roll back tariffs.

     "Other issues are almost settled," Wang Huiyao, the founder and president

of the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing, said in an interview on

Wednesday.

     "We are now waiting for Trump to decide whether some tariffs will be

removed," he said. The tariff reduction would have to be proportionate to the

scope of the agreement, he said, without providing further details.

     "The final key is in Trump's hand. Faced with impeachment and the election,

he's eager to keep his election promise, and so he wants a deal," Wang said,

adding that officials from the two countries would try to reach agreement by the

end of the year.

     "It is possible the Americans will come to China, to sign the deal, or

settle some final issues," he said, speaking on the sidelines of the 2019 China

Public Diplomacy Forum held by the National Academy of Development and Strategy.

     "Signing the deal is in the interest of both countries, and the world is

hoping for deal by around Christmas," Wang said.

--MNI London Bureau; +44 203 865 3829; email: jason.webb@marketnews.com

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