Trump’s Trade Team Faces Its First Critical Challenge in Beijing

US trade delegation seeks to resolve IP theft and open up the Chinese market

Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer participates at a discussion at the 9th China Business Conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington on May 1, 2018. Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—Speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ahead of his participation in the trade delegation to China, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said resolving the trade dispute with the Chinese communist regime would be a very challenging task.

“I am always hoping, but not always hopeful. So it is a big, big challenge,” he said on May 1 about the chances of reaching a deal during the meetings in China, starting May 3.