Washington sources reported that President donald trump on thursday tweeted that the united states is "VERY close" to a trade deal with china, days before new tariffs are due to take effect. trump tweeted "Getting VERY close to a BIG DEAL with China. They want it, and so do we!". Reportedly the two largest economies in the world are locked in a wide-ranging trade war but negotiators have been working to reach at least a partial resolution before Washington increases tariffs on Sunday. Furthermore trump has days to decide whether to impose tariffs on nearly $160 billion in Chinese consumer goods just weeks before christmas, a move that could be unwelcome in both the united states and China.
Meanwhile the White House's top economic and trade advisers, including Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Larry Kudlow, Peter Navarro, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are expected to meet in coming days with trump over that decision, one person briefed on the situation said. There is still no clarity on what the decision will be. Furthermore Washington is laying the groundwork for a delay in the latest tariffs, scheduled to take effect on Dec. 15, but a final decision has not been made, the person told Reuters.
Moreover if the white house does allow the Dec. 15 tariffs to take effect, then the US-China deal talks are likely done for the remainder of President Trump's term. The source said "Either way we're going to be in a great place ... The president loves them (the tariffs)," Navarro told Fox business Network during an interview Tuesday.
