China wants removal of US tariffs in first phase of trade deal: report

China is prioritizing the removal of existing U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods in the first phase of the trade deal between the two countries, Reuters reported Sunday. 

Sources with direct knowledge told China’s Global Times newspaper Saturday that the U.S. needs to remove current tariffs in the agreement, not just upcoming scheduled tariffs.

The Global Times, which is published by the People’s Daily newspaper of the Communist Party, reported another source said U.S. officials did not want to get rid of tariffs because they viewed that as a “surrender” and giving up their leverage, Reuters reported. 

The Hill reached out to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative for comment.

President Trump said Tuesday that the first phase of the U.S.-China agreement was being finalized up as the trade war between the countries stretches to more than a year. But Reuters reported last month that phase one, originally planned for the end of November, may be delayed until next year because of Chinese demands.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said last week that China had invited U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to negotiations. Officials could reportedly travel after Thanksgiving, a source told Reuters.