US commerce secretary visits Beijing ahead of Trump trip

BEIJING (AP) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross says Washington is hoping for concrete progress during President Donald Trump's planned trip to China amid rising trade tensions.

Ross met Monday with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the country's top economic official, during a three-nation Asian tour. Trump is due to visit Beijing later this year.

Ross told Li that "we hope there will be some very good deliverables," or commitments on disputed issues. The secretary said that "would be the best single outcome for both countries."

Trump has criticized China's large trade surpluses with the United States and threatened to raise tariffs on steel. He has ordered an investigation into whether Beijing improperly pressures companies to hand over technology in exchange for market access.