Ahead of renewed talks, Washington, Beijing prepare ground for trade deal

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Thursday welcomed China's promise to buy agricultural goods while maintaining the threat of U.S. tariff hikes as the world's two largest economies sought to prepare the ground for upcoming in-person talks.Lower-level U.S. and Chinese officials are expected to meet within days in Washington ahead of talks between top trade negotiators in early October aimed at easing a trade war that has rattled financial markets and fueled fears of a looming..