WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. and Chinese negotiators were discussing the thorny issue of how to enforce a potential trade deal on Sunday after making progress on structural issues that have divided the two countries as they work to end a trade war, a source familiar with the talks said.
The two sides, representing the world’s largest economies, were discussing tariffs on Sunday as well as commodities, the source said, adding that progress was being made across the board.
U.S. officials said on Friday that talks would extend into the weekend after negotiators produced a deal on currency during talks last week. Chinese officials are eager to avoid a planned increase in U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods set for the end of this week unless a deal is reached.
U.S. President Donald Trump lauded progress between the two sides in a tweet on Sunday morning.
“Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today!” he wrote.
Talks were extended through the weekend in a bid to iron out
differences on changes to China’s treatment of state-owned enterprises, subsidies, forced technology transfers and cyber theft.
The source said Chinese officials were still scheduled to return home on Monday.
Another round of talks, either in Washington or Beijing, may be needed as a March 1 deadline approaches by the end of this week.
The two sides have had no agreement on an enforcement mechanism. Washington wants a strong mechanism to ensure that Chinese reform commitments were followed through to completion, while Beijing insisted
