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

By Wanxia Lin

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

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

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

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

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

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

onWednesday.

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

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

thescope 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 theend of the year.

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

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

ChinaPublic Diplomacy Forum held by the National Academy of Development and

Strategy.

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

ishoping for deal by around Christmas," Wang said.

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

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