US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he was not considering a potential phase two trade deal with China for the time being, given the “severely damaged” relationship between the two nations.
Speaking to reporters from Air Force One, Trump reiterated his disappointment with Beijing and blasted China for its inability and unwillingness “to stop the plague”—referring to the coronavirus—from spreading globally. When asked about the trade deal, Trump said he no longer thought about it.
Also read: Trump Renews Threat to Sever Ties with China, Despite Trade Official Ruling It Out
After multiple rounds of intense negotiations, the Trump administration had signed a mega phase one deal with China in January, which aimed to increase U.S. exports of agricultural, energy and other products.
Though US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said in a June congressional hearing that he was “very happy” with China’s implementation of the phase one deal, Beijing has said that it will struggle to complete its purchase requirements due to the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. Under the deal, China pledged to buy US goods worth approximately $200 billion, including soybeans and pork. Despite conflicting messages from the White House about the status of the agreement and Trump’s consistent threats to “cut off ties” with Beijing, Trump has previously stated that that the phase one trade deal remains “fully intact.”
Also read: Trump Scrambles to Defend US-China Trade Deal After Advisor Says It’s “Over”
However, the COVID-19 crisis has cast a shadow on Trump’s treasured agreement, as the two nations continue to lock heads over China’s handling of the outbreak, the new national security law in Hong Kong, the treatment of minorities in Xinjiang and security measures in Tibet. Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party for their involvement in human rights abuses targeting Muslim minorities in Xinjiang. Both sides recently introduced tit-for-tat visa restrictions on officials involved in formulating policies for Tibet. The two countries are also sparring on nuclear arms control negotiations along with Russia.
Beijing has repeatedly condemned Washington for trying to “stigmatize China” through “countless lies and conspiracy theories”. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has previously said that China is committed to “work together to fight COVID-19” and ensure global economic stability, but that it will be forced to react if the US maintains a cold war mentality.
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