The latest round of trade talks between the U.S. and China wrapped up in Beijing on Wednesday,... with the U.S. Treasury Secretary calling the meetings "productive".<br />With the U.S. dropping a crucial demand to the negotiations, watchers say all signs point to a positive result.<br />Lee Seung-jae reports. <br />The U.S. and China appear to be getting closer to ending their long trade war which has cost both sides billions of dollars, disrupted supply chains and roiled financial markets.<br />U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin,... after concluding Wednesday's round of talks in Beijing took to Twitter to call the meetings "productive". <br />The two countries will continue their high-level trade talks next week in Washington.<br />Both Washington and Beijing have noted progress on issues,... which include intellectual property and forced technology transfer to help end the conflict that has been marked by tit-for-tat tariffs.<br />Despite the White House ramping up pressure to reach a deal,... even warning that the U.S. is prepared to walk away from the negotiations,... the Financial Times reports that President Trump has dropped a central demand,... that China halt alleged instances of commercial cyber theft.<br />The report, citing several people briefed on the matter,... added that Trump has softened his administration's opening negotiating position.<br />However, there's still much to be discussed between the economic powerhouses,... as U.S. officials have noted an enforcement mechanism for a deal and timelines for lifting tariffs are sticking points.<br />China has also acknowledged that it views the enforcement mechanism as crucial,... but says it must work both ways and cannot only put restraints on Beijing.<br />Watchers say the two sides are expected to reach a deal in mid-May,... possibly setting up a summit between the leaders of the two countries.<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News. <br />
