U.S., China Begin Crucial Trade Talks as Tariff Clock Ticks Down

The U.S. and China began a pivotal round of trade negotiations with hours to go before the Trump administration ratchets up tariffs, deepening a conflict that has roiled financial markets and cast a shadow over the global economy.

Chinese Vice Premier Liu He arrived May 9 at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office in Washington to start two days of talks with American officials including Robert Lighthizer, the top U.S. negotiator, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump insisted a deal was still possible to reach this week, even as he reiterated plans to raise tariffs ...