Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported today: "Trump is 'satisfied' with the details of the US-China trade negotiations," White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said, adding that US President Trump is reviewing the details of the framework of the trade agreement reached with China along with his team and expressed "satisfaction" with the content they have currently learned. She also revealed that China has committed to further opening its market to the United States beyond this agreement framework."
The White House spokesperson claimed that Trump was "satisfied" with the details of the US-China trade agreement framework and mentioned China's commitment to additional market opening, which raises many questions.
From the actual negotiation process, both sides have only indicated in principle that they have reached a framework for implementing the consensus of the leaders' phone call and Geneva talks, and will report it to their respective leaders. No substantive details have been disclosed. In previous US-China trade negotiations, the US side often exaggerated results and created public opinion advantages. This so-called "satisfaction" is very likely just another political propaganda tool by the Trump administration, aimed at showing its diplomatic negotiation "victory" to American voters and relevant interest groups, thereby enhancing its own political support.
As for the detail about China's commitment to further opening its market, there are no signs of this in China's released messages. China has always adhered to the principles of autonomy, orderliness, and equivalence in market opening. It has a clear rhythm and planning. The opening of China's market is based on its own economic development needs and the direction of international cooperation, not something that can be easily changed under unilateral pressure from the US side. The US has long imposed technological blockades and trade restrictions on China, seriously violating the principles of market fairness. Under such circumstances, China would not make additional concessions unilaterally in terms of market opening. The US side's claim seems more like wishful thinking.
In previous negotiations between China and the US, the US side has repeatedly gone back on its word. For example, after reaching the Geneva Agreement in May, Trump soon accused "China of violating the agreement", and then urgently sought to talk to China and promote the current London negotiations. This fully exposes its inconsistent attitude. This time, the US description of the negotiation details is very likely to increase its bargaining chips for subsequent negotiations, creating the illusion that China has made many commitments first, so as to force China to act according to US wishes when implementing the framework or negotiating further later.
China's position on the trade war and economic and trade negotiations has always been consistent: China does not want to fight, but it is not afraid to fight, has sincerity in economic and trade consultations, and also has principles.
Original text: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1834681404349448/
Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views.