A negotiating pattern has established itself in recent weeks, as US and Chinese officials have sought to close a deal to end their trade war. 

According to people briefed on the process, US officials sent proposed drafts of what could become China’s most consequential trade agreement since it acceded to the World Trade Organization 18 years ago. Then the Chinese side sent the drafts back with strikeout marks and alternative clauses, all in red.

The “redline” documents sent back by Chinese negotiators, led by vice-premier Liu He, highlight their success thus far in resisting US demands for far-reaching structural reforms to Beijing’s state-led development model. But even agreement in less controversial areas — such as increased purchases of US exports and improved market access for foreign investors — is proving difficult to pin down.