BORDER/CHINA/CONGRESS/DEMS/TRADE DEALS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WALL: “President Trump this week will turn his attention from a fight with congressional Democrats to an even more formidable negotiating challenge, one with potentially higher stakes: China. Trade talks with Beijing begin on Wednesday [1-30-19] in Washington, kicking off a monthlong sprint of negotiations between the two nations that could prove more difficult than Mr. Trump’s unsuccessful attempt to secure money from Congress for a border wall. The negotiations come at a critical moment for Mr. Trump’s economic agenda and the global economy, which is beginning to slow in part because of the president’s trade policies. This week, a Chinese delegation led by Liu He, the vice premier, will meet with an American delegation led by Robert Lighthizer, Mr. Trump’s top trade negotiator, and Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary. A White House official said on Monday that Mr. Liu will meet personally with Mr. Trump on Thursday.”
–Alan Rappeport, “Trump’s Shutdown Surrender Adds Pressure to Secure China Trade Win,” The New York Times online, January 28, 2019