WASHINGTON: Wash­in­g­­­­ton’s top trade official on Tuesday said the United States and China were likely within “weeks” of ending their trade negotiations — but a successful outcome was not assured.

“Our hope is that we’re in the final weeks of an agreement but I’m not predicting one,” US Trade Represen­­tative Robert Lighthizer said in Senate testimony.

“We can’t predict success at this point but we are working hard.” Eight months into their sprawling trade war, US and Chinese officials have alternated between projecting optimism and warning that they have much to do before reaching a final outcome.

The two sides have exchanged tariffs on more than $360 billion in two-way trade.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2019