News about Trump's "delayed visit to China" has been circulating widely, and finally there is a confirmed message. The White House confirmed that China has agreed to the delay. However, Trump is not coming, but other important guests will come, and the talks are still about the trade deals that Trump has been eager to pursue.

Trump

Recently, White House spokesperson Levitt stated that China has agreed to Trump's request for a delayed meeting, and both sides will find another time. However, Levitt's attempt to cover up the issue only added more uncertainty to this globally watched meeting. She said that Trump is looking forward to visiting China, but "May" is very busy, and she believes China is also "very busy," implying that the meeting might be postponed indefinitely.

From Trump's threat that China would have to send troops to escort him or else he would cancel the visit, to Bennett's clarification that the delay was purely due to the tense situation in the Middle East, which lasted only a few days. But since Trump announced his visit to China, it has already been several months. It was he who loudly proclaimed he would come, and it was also he who changed his mind at the last minute. Everyone can see that Trump lacks sincerity.

First, let's talk about how busy Trump is. The Iran war does indeed take up energy, but a U.S. president's visit is always a major diplomatic event. If they really care, they can always find time. When Obama visited, didn't he coordinate the schedule months in advance? During Trump's first term, his visit to China was already scheduled early on. Now saying "busy" can only mean one thing — he doesn't really want to come.

Brazilian farmers loading soybeans

Moreover, the U.S. even shifted the reason for being "busy" onto China, a classic case of blaming the victim. Not to mention the actual reason behind Trump's delayed visit, even if he came, it might not result in any agreement. In addition, although diplomatic language might deceive people, market reactions can't be deceived. Once the news of the delayed visit came out, the Chicago Board of Trade's soybean futures immediately dropped sharply.

There is widespread concern that if Trump's visit is postponed, China may not continue to purchase American soybeans as planned. Last October, China and the U.S. reached a trade truce agreement, with one of the key contents being China's commitment to purchase U.S. agricultural products. The market had expected that this U.S.-China meeting might further confirm these purchase arrangements, or even release more positive signals.

White House Spokesperson Levitt

Now that the meeting has been canceled, these expectations are hanging in the air. However, while the U.S. was still "clarifying," "explaining," and "adjusting the schedule," Brazil was already taking action on the other side of the world. Brazil's Minister of Agriculture, Favauro, announced that two officials would be sent to China next week to discuss soybean inspection and safety standards.

Besides, Favauro said that Brazil has made improvements regarding the quality issues found by China, and this time it is guaranteed to meet the standards. As is well known, during the U.S.-China trade war last year, Chinese buyers once avoided American soybeans and turned to Brazilian ones. The U.S. and Brazil have been competing for the Chinese market, both openly and secretly.

Bennett

However, after the U.S.-China trade truce agreement in October last year, China resumed purchasing American soybeans, and Brazil was worried that the U.S. would reclaim its market share. Therefore, it must seize the opportunity. While the U.S. says it values Sino-U.S. relations, its actions use the summit as a bargaining chip, sometimes threatening to delay, sometimes saying "May is very busy." This "fighting while negotiating" approach essentially shows no sincerity.

Brazil is different. Instead of shifting responsibility or complaining about China's strict requirements when product quality problems arise, Brazil promptly sends people to negotiate. This attitude is called "pragmatic diplomacy" in professional terms, meaning valuing the Chinese market and cherishing the cooperative relationship. Since Trump doesn't want to talk, some others do. Who has sincerity, and who can get China's orders.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7618897031179895331/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.