Robert Lighthizer about trade talks with China.

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FILE PHOTO: China's Vice Premier Liu He turns with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2019. REUTERS/Carlos Barria/File Photo
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The House Ways and Means committee is questioning United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer about trade talks with China.

In his opening statements, Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA) said a trade deal with China needs to secure changes – not just additional purchases of American goods.

“This administration has chosen to take the path of a high-risk confrontation with China. It must hold out for a good deal – a structural deal. The future of America’s economic prosperity is at stake,” Neal said.

Ranking member Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) said an agreement with China needs to be enforceable and measurable.

"While we want China to buy more U.S. goods that support farmers, manufacturers, and professionals here at home, it’s even more important for us to hold China accountable to meeting high international standards on intellectual property rights, subsidization, overcapacity, and the other structural ways in which China distorts the global economy,” Brady said in prepared remarks.

Lighthizer told lawmakers progress has been made with China but it’s still early to predict the outcome of negotiations.

On Sunday, President Trump announced he was delaying the Friday deadline when tariffs were set to increase from 10% to 25%.

Speaking to a group of governors earlier this week, Trump talked about the possibility of a “signing summit” after productive talks with China.

While there has been some concern the administration would accept a deal that focuses on the trade imbalance, Lighthizer stressed that the administration wants a measurable and enforceable deal that addresses structural issues.