China to Send Chief Trade Negotiator to U.S. to Sign Phase-One Deal

BEIJING—Chinese President Xi Jinping’s chief trade negotiator will travel to Washington early next week to sign a phase-one trade deal with the U.S., China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday, the first official confirmation by Beijing on the signing of an agreement that could help ease bilateral tensions.

The Chinese delegation, to be led by Vice Premier Liu He, will visit Washington from Monday to Wednesday, Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng said at a weekly briefing.

Washington and Beijing said on Dec. 13 that the two sides had reached a first-stage deal,...