BGR Government Affairs has signed a $360,000 pact with The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the statutory body responsible for promoting Hong Kong trade, to advocate China’s trade interests with the U.S. as officials in both countries continue working out a deal to end the U.S.-China trade war.

HKTDC

HKTDC has hired BGR to provide counsel on U.S. policies as well as economic and trade issues affecting the interests of Hong Kong, as well as monitor legislative and administrative activities and conduct outreach to U.S. government officials and members of the media on issues pertaining to US/China trade relations and U.S. implementation of World Trade Organization agreements, according to Foreign Agents Registration Act documents filed in April.

The retainer comes amid the Trump admin’s ongoing trade dispute with China, which has roiled the financial markets since Trump began imposing tariffs on billions worth of Chinese products since early 2018, which escalated when Beijing retaliated with its own tariffs.

Trump last week speculated that current trade talks could result in a potential deal to be reached “over the next four weeks.”

The year-long agreement brings BGR a total of $360,000, to be paid in 12 monthly installments.

BGR is the firm founded by former Mississippi Governor and Republican National Committee chairman Haley Barbour.