Despite escalating diplomatic and political tensions between the United States and China, both sides remain committed to a trade deal.

At the beginning of 2020 the U.S. and China signed Phase One of a bilateral trade agreement.

It signaled a truce in their bruising dispute – with the U.S. cutting tariffs on Chinese goods and China pledging to buy more American products. Last week, media reports said both sides would hold a virtual meeting to advance trade talks. The review was never officially confirmed by Beijing or Washington, and eventually did not happen, reportedly because of scheduling conflicts. No new date has been set for future negotiations leading to concerns that rising tensions between the world’s two largest economies may affect the flow of commerce.

To discuss:

• Einar Tangen is a political and economic affairs commentator.
• Jeff Moon is president of China Moon Strategies, a consulting firm.
• Wang Cong is a reporter for the Global Times. 
• Anna Ashton is Sr. Dir. of Government Affairs, US-China Business Council.

 

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