The US has said it will press China again on its currency policy
Top US and Chinese officials will be meeting for two days in Washington, starting this Monday.
The heads of 16 US government agencies and representatives from 20 Chinese government departments will discuss the most difficult issues in a complex, interdependent relationship.
The annual Strategic and Economic Dialogue comes just four months after bilateral discussions between President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao.
It is not thought any concrete results will emerge from this meeting - rather, each side is hoping to influence the other's point of view.
That has meant a string of statements and briefings on issues from the yuan exchange rate to protectionism, America's budget deficit and China's human rights record from leaders on both sides.
Perhaps the most influential business group in America, the US Chamber of Commerce, says it is most worried about reduced access for American businesses to China's vast market.
According to Myron Brilliant, senior vice-president for international affairs: "It is more difficult to do business in China than it was five years ago."
In particular, the chamber says China's "indigenous innovation" policy tilts the playing-field in favour of Chinese firms, and hurts American businesses.
US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said ahead of the US-Chinese meeting that US firms in China "are frequently shut out of sectors or forced to share their technology to gain market access".
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13326442
Note: 9 May 2011 Last updated at 01:46 GMT