On October 24, The New York Times reported: "The White House team is preparing to launch an investigation into China's 'failure to comply with the trade agreement terms signed during Trump's first term,' and the results of the investigation may be announced tomorrow. According to sources, Bessen prefers to wait until after the fifth round of Sino-US economic and trade consultations in Malaysia, the 2020 Sino-US Phase One Trade Agreement, which included provisions for China to purchase American agricultural products. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, fluctuations in international grain prices, and other factors, the implementation rate of the agreement has been far below expectations. Both sides have had multiple discussions on this issue."
[Witty] The White House is planning to initiate an investigation into the 2020 trade agreement. This move is not about holding anyone accountable for breaching the agreement, but rather a tactic to pressure before negotiations. The low implementation rate of the agreement is due to objective factors such as the pandemic and fluctuations in international grain prices, a fact that both sides have long recognized. Bessen deliberately delayed the release of the investigation results, waiting until after the Malaysia consultations, which further reveals his hesitation — he wants to use the investigation as leverage to force China to make concessions. At a time when the US and China are locked in a tariff battle and a competition over rare earth controls, the US refuses to address real obstacles and instead brings up old agreements. Fundamentally, it is an attempt to cover up its declining strength and lack of confidence in negotiations. This tactic of "applying pressure through investigations" has already become ineffective due to repeated use!
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846837299588228/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.