Lew heading to China

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew will head to China his first international trip as the nation's top economic adviser.

The Treasury Department announced Thursday that Le would visit Beijing for two days beginning March 19, where he will meet Chinese leadership and senior economic officials, as well as U.S. business leaders abroad.

Among the topics of conversation will be the "bilateral relationship and opportunities for cooperation and growth," according to Treasury.

After being nominated by President Obama for the position, Lew vowed to make addressing China's exchange rate a "top priority" when asked by senators. He said he would "press China" to move to a market-determined exchange rate in February when asked about the issue by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), the ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee.

""There has been some progress. … More progress, however, is needed," he wrote. "If confirmed, addressing China's exchange rate would be a top priority."

However, Lew was not specific in exactly how he would go about doing that, saying whatever steps the U.S. took would have to be "consistent with our international obligations."

Both parties have unsuccessfully pushed the White House to formally label China as a currency manipulator.

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