Axios

There appears to be some movement in the trade negotiations between the U.S. and China.

What's happening: The Chinese side confirmed earlier this week that Vice Premier Liu He will come to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 30–31. Commerce Vice Minister Wang Shouwen and Finance Vice Minister Liao Min will travel to D.C. next week, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The U.S. is maintaining its leading edge in many industries of the future. But when it comes to tech-infused retail, the rest of the world is outpacing the U.S., digitalizing stores in huge swaths while America stands still.

Why it matters: Wealthy retail chains everywhere are surging ahead in digitalization, luring shoppers with custom applications. But how they are doing it has divided the world of retail between the haves of new tech and the have-nots.

Gillette's new ad, which focuses on a culture of "toxic masculinity" more than it does actual shaving, seems to be sitting well with consumers, according to new data from Morning Consult.

Why it matters: The new polling suggests that internet backlash over the controversial ad has been overstated, and that while the ad may not immediately increase Gillette's sales, it was generally received well by consumers.

Former CBS chairman and CEO Les Moonves has told CBS' board that he intends to dispute its ruling to strip him of his $120 million severance after he was fired with cause, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The network pulled the payment after an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Why it matters: Sources at CBS and within the industry say that Moonves' ego ultimately prevented a more graceful exit at CBS. His reluctance to step down after initial reports about his behavior, his attempts to undermine investigations, and his current fight to keep his money all highlight the extent to which he is willing to fight these allegations at the expense of his reputation.

Nordstrom, one of the few retail market bright spots in 2018, announced earnings and guidance on Wednesday that were unimpressive.

By the numbers: The company projected earnings per share for fiscal 2018 will fall to the lower end of its $3.27 to $3.37 range and noted weakness in its full-price stores, where same-store sales rose by 0.3%. It will resort to promotions to unload the excess inventory. Nordstrom's stock fell 5% as a result.

The New York Times has published a series of portraits to document the record 131 women in Congress, evoking the imagery we're used to seeing in the halls of power.

What they're saying: "Viewed together, the photographs demonstrate the scale of the number of women in both the House and Senate. But, when seen as singular portraits, each image represents an individual with her own perspective — in political beliefs, personal goals and histories."

One of the hardest things about reporting on President Trump is his tendency to propose wild ideas out loud and then repeat them before coming to his senses or getting talked off the ledge.

The big picture: The media, us very much included, break news on controversial ideas that never happen, leaving all of us to wonder: Was this a real idea killed by exposing it or a POTUS brain blip? It’s the virtual reality dimension of this presidency.