US–CHINA TRADE TALKS IN PARIS SHOW PROGRESS U.S. and Chinese officials held “candid and constructive” talks in Paris, agreeing to work toward greater stability in their trade relationship, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Both sides discussed possible increases in Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural goods ahead of the upcoming Trump–Xi summit in Beijing. U.S. officials also raised the need for China to buy more Boeing aircraft, coal, oil, and gas. The talks explored managed trade and investment mechanisms for leaders to consider at the summit, and addressed U.S. firms’ difficulties obtaining rare earths such as yttrium. Technical-level negotiations will continue Monday to refine the details.(*Walter Bloomberg)