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The Trump administration confirmed it will hold two days of talks this week in Washington to discuss structural changes to China’s economy and Beijing’s pledge to buy more American goods.

According to people close to the discussions, the two sides have so far made little progress on the issue that any deal Trump strikes with China may ultimately be judged on: ending what the U.S. has dubbed as decades of state-coordinated Chinese theft of American intellectual property.

America’s manufacturers are scrambling to change the way they do business — from finding new suppliers to shifting more finishing work overseas — as the sting of tariffs begins to take a bigger toll on their bottom lines.

The European Union’s trade chief, Cecilia Malmstrom, will continue talks with her U.S. counterpart Jan. 10, after the two met earlier the week of Jan. 7 in an effort to tamp down escalating commercial tensions, according to the European Commission.

The Trump administration wrapped up the latest round of trade talks in Beijing, noting a commitment by China to buy more U.S. agricultural goods, energy and manufactured items.

The European Union’s executive arm is preparing to ask the bloc’s governments for the green light to start negotiations with the United States on a free-trade deal, highlighting hopes of keeping at bay the threat of American tariffs on foreign cars.

President Donald Trump expressed optimism that U.S.-China trade talks in Beijing are progressing well, as Chinese authorities planned to give a statement after the latest round of negotiations.

China is back in the market for U.S. soybeans after taking a holiday break as Washington and Beijing plan more trade discussions.

BEIJING — China’s government said Dec. 27 it has made plans with Washington for talks in January aimed at ending a tariff battle that threatens to depress global trade.

China resumed buying U.S. soybeans, bringing some relief to farmers in President Donald Trump’s heartland as President Xi Jinping works toward a trade deal with his American counterpart.