Former U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said it ultimately doesn't matter when the United States and China resolve their trade differences, as long as tensions don't escalate. But she ventured that "it feels" like a deal could come by the end of April. Barshefsky acknowledged that Washington and Beijing are still far apart when it comes to resolving their trade conflicts, but "they are going to have to find a way to meet," she told CNBC's Martin Soong on Saturday at the China Development Forum in Beijing.

There's no question that for the U.S., the notion of removing tariffs before China has implemented whatever obligations it undertakes, seems a risk. Charlene Barshefsky former U.S. Trade Representative

The world's two largest economies are in a trade dispute that has rattled world markets and dented global growth. Since last year, the U.S. has imposed levies on $250 billion of Chinese goods, while China has placed its own tariffs on $110 billion of American products. "There's no question that for the U.S., the notion of removing tariffs before China has implemented whatever obligations it undertakes, seems a risk," said Barshefsky, who was the top trade negotiator for the U.S. from 1997 to 2001. "For China, to undertake obligations, and yet to still face tariffs, seems unfair. Those are the two extreme examples, two extreme positions."

Charlene Barshefsky, senior international partner at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, speaks during the U.S.-China Investment Cooperation Forum on July 17, 2012. VCG | Visual China Group | Getty Images