US trade representative Lighthizer arrives in China ahead of high-level talks

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer arrived in Beijing on Tuesday ahead of high-level trade talks for the world’s two largest economies to hammer out a deal ahead of a March 1 deadline. After that date, US tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports are scheduled to increase to 25 percent from 10 percent. Lighthizer and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin are set to hold talks on Thursday and Friday with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He, the top economic adviser to President Xi Jinping, Reuters said. Talks kicked off in Beijing with discussions among deputy-level officials on Monday before minister-level meetings later in the week.