The latest round of trade talks between the U.S. and China wrapped up in Beijing on Wednesday,... with the U.S. Treasury Secretary calling the meetings "productive".
With the U.S. dropping a crucial demand to the negotiations, watchers say all signs point to a positive result.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
The U.S. and China appear to be getting closer to ending their long trade war which has cost both sides billions of dollars, disrupted supply chains and roiled financial markets.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin,... after concluding Wednesday's round of talks in Beijing took to Twitter to call the meetings "productive".
The two countries will continue their high-level trade talks next week in Washington.
Both Washington and Beijing have noted progress on issues,... which include intellectual property and forced technology transfer to help end the conflict that has been marked by tit-for-tat tariffs.
Despite the White House ramping up pressure to reach a deal,... even warning that the U.S. is prepared to walk away from the negotiations,... the Financial Times reports that President Trump has dropped a central demand,... that China halt alleged instances of commercial cyber theft.
The report, citing several people briefed on the matter,... added that Trump has softened his administration's opening negotiating position.
However, there's still much to be discussed between the economic powerhouses,... as U.S. officials have noted an enforcement mechanism for a deal and timelines for lifting tariffs are sticking points.
China has also acknowledged that it views the enforcement mechanism as crucial,... but says it must work both ways and cannot only put restraints on Beijing.
Watchers say the two sides are expected to reach a deal in mid-May,... possibly setting up a summit between the leaders of the two countries.
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.