China’s top trade negotiator Liu He is set to travel to Washington on Jan 30 and 31 to kick off high-level talks with the United States. But while news of Mr Liu’s visit and results of trade negotiations in Beijing have buoyed hopes that an accord can be reached in the trade war, analysts say both sides remain far apart on core US concerns, such as China stopping state subsidies for its state-owned enterprises. RSIS Assoc Prof Li Mingjiang said this creates a “huge challenge for subsequent negotiations”.