China vice premier arrives in U.S. for trade talks

Liu He, China&#039;s vice premier. — (Image credit: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)

A top Chinese economic official, Vice Premier Liu He, arrives in Washington on Tuesday for five days of trade talks, the South China Morning Post reports. Liu's visit comes following a surprise announcement from President Trump via Twitter that he is working with Chinese President Xi Jinping on helping get Chinese telecom giant ZTE "back in business" after the U.S. banned American firms from selling parts and services to ZTE for seven years as punishment for its failure to respect an agreement on avoiding trade with Iran.

Observers said Liu could respond to Trump's gesture by offering easier access to Chinese markets for U.S. goods. American companies, including Best Buy and U.S. Steel, will also have an opportunity to weigh in on Trump's proposed tariffs on China in hearings this week, CNN Money reports. Read more about Trump's puzzling ZTE decision here at The Week.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.