While the White House's National Economic Council is reviewing what offers on agricultural tariffs, technology transfer, cyber security and intellectual property protection would be acceptable relative to the U.S.-China situation, other sources indicate such items can only be addressed by President Donald Trump and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
Lighthizer has been insisting tariffs need to continue to get China to make necessary concessions. Others have speculated that should Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross exit the administration, it opens up potential for a less-aggressive stance by the administration.
However, veteran contacts discount such talk, noting Trump and Lighthizer are in agreement that existing and possibly additional tariffs on China will bring them to the negotiating table.