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Lighthizer saw no progress on key issues in China talks, Grassley says

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer saw no progress on key issues in last week’s trade talks with China.

That’s according to Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who met with Lighthizer late last week.

“He (Lighthizer) said that there hasn’t been any progress made in structural changes that need to be made, including intellectual property, stealing trade secrets, and putting pressure on corporations to share information with the Chinese government and industries,” Grassley says.

But Grassley remains optimistic about negotiations with the Chinese.

“The Chinese are coming over here in a couple of weeks and there will be more negotiations,” he says. “And from my point of view—and the point of view that a lot of people have—the economy of China is suffering and there’s a chance for progress.”

The USTR’s office has not responded to Brownfield’s request for comment on Grassley’s remarks.

AUDIO: Excerpt from Grassley’s conference call with ag reporters