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According to CNBC, officials with the U.S. trade representative’s office were supposed to meet with their Chinese counterparts this week to try and resolve some trade differences before the March 1st deadline – but the meeting was cancelled.

An unnamed source claimed the trade planning meeting was cancelled as both sides continue to disagree over the enforcement of intellectual property rules.

As you are aware, one of the US goals with China is to ensure adequate IP protections for US companies operating in China. More specifically, US companies doing business in China are expected to turn over IP to a China joint venture as a condition to doing business in China. The US claims this has resulted in the involuntary transfer of IP that ultimately hurts the US company.

While an unnamed source said a meeting was cancelled, the White House economic advisor, Larry Kudlow claimed there was cancellation and a meeting set for next week is still on schedule.