WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House said on Friday that the United States and China made progress toward a trade agreement during "constructive discussions" this week in Beijing.

"The two parties continued to make progress during candid and constructive discussions on the negotiations and important next steps," the White House said in a statement that echoed comments made earlier by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

(Reporting by Tim Ahmann; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)