Asia

Co-chairs Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Darin LaHood (R-IL) will lead the group during the trip to Beijing, Hangzhou and Hong Kong.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has the authority to negotiate a trade deal with China without congressional approval, analysts say, but some elements of the pact taking shape could run afoul of World Trade Organization rules.

“China has made clear its intent to dismantle U.S. railcar manufacturing in its ‘Made in China 2025’ plan – our economic and national security demands that we address Chinese attempts to dominate industries that build our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

“I think the deal is going to be made. I think there's a very good chance a deal's going to be made. And I would say, officially, we're doing very well in the deal. But we'll see what happens.”

Any U.S.-China trade deal on tariffs and trade barriers will mandate that China not competitively devalue its currency and include enforceable transparency requirements, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

“We have hurt them,” he told CNBC, adding that “the documents from two weeks ago advanced enormously. That’s why the president is optimistic about the potential for a deal.”

Washington state's congressional delegation is urging Lighthizer to prioritize sanitary and phytosanitary issues, specifically for apples, in talks with Tokyo.

Despite significant progress made between Washington and Beijing since last December, a final trade deal could “fall apart” at the last minute, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said on Monday.