“How Trump Blew His Hand in Trade-Deal Negotiations with China”

Frank Lavin
Publication Date: 
July 21st, 2020

In this piece, Wong MNC Center Advisory Board member Frank Lavin evaluates the prospects China will meet the terms of the January 2020 Phase I trade deal. Lavin concludes it is highly unlikely China will fulfill its obligations because it is likely believes US President Donald Trump will not impose additional tariffs, that compliance will not push Trump to remove tariffs, and since Trump has already stated there will not be negotiations over a Phase II deal. Lavin suggests the US consider lowering tariffs on the goods from countries that “play by the rules” to weaken China’s relative competitive position.

This publication originally appeared in The National Review, July 21, 2020. It is viewable at https://www.nationalreview.com/2020/07/trump-china-trade-deal-negotiatio.... Copyright remains with the original holders.