US-CHINA TRADE DEAL

APEC finance ministers express ‘moderate’ hope

APEC finance ministers expressed "moderate optimism" on Tuesday that the United States and China will end their trade war and sign an agreement during the forum's summit in Santiago next month.

For the last 18 months the world's two largest economies have been embroiled in a trade spat that saw tariffs placed on hundreds of billions of dollars' worth of goods. US President Donald Trump announced a partial deal last week.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin added on Monday that US and Chinese officials would hold phone talks over the next two weeks to finalize the "phase one" trade deal.

Finance ministers and representatives of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum met in Santiago on Tuesday and discussed the possibility of a full trade deal being signed next month.

Chile's finance minister, Felipe Larrain, said such an agreement would be "highly significant."

While he was somewhat optimistic, he also he warned that "planning and good intentions and the idea to sign it are one thing. Actually signing it is another."

 

US-CHINA TRADE DEAL

APEC finance ministers express moderate hope

APEC finance ministers expressed moderate optimism on Tuesday that the United States and China will end their trade war and sign an agreement during the forums summit in Santiago next month. For the last 18 months the worlds two largest economies have been embroiled in a trade spat that saw tariffs placed on hundreds of billions of dollars worth of goods. US President Donald Trump announced a partial deal last week. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin added on Monday that US and Chinese officials would hold phone talks over the next two weeks to finalize the phase one trade deal. Finance ministers and representatives of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum met in Santiago on Tuesday and discussed the possibility of a full trade deal being signed next month. Chiles finance minister, Felipe Larrain, said such an agreement would be highly significant. While he was somewhat optimistic, he also he warned that planning and good intentions and the idea to sign it are one thing. Actually signing it is another.