Wen upbeat on US relations despite strains

BEIJING - China is likely to run a trade deficit of more than $8 billion in March, Premier Wen Jiabao said on Monday, while rejecting US accusations that the country undervalues its currency to seek a surplus.

Wen also said China will buy more US goods to balance trade, and expects problems with Washington to be addressed in May during a strategic dialogue.

The deficit in March will be the first since May 2004.