Chinese Officials Say "US-China Trade Deal Collapsed"... Trump 'Snorts'

Growing Calls in China to Invalidate US COVID-19 Origin Claims Amid Attacks
Trump Says "No Interest" in Renegotiation Favoring China
Heated Exchange with Chinese-American Reporter Ends in Walkout Incident

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min, Beijing=Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Voices have emerged in China calling for a review of the Phase One trade agreement with the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump responded by saying he has no interest in renegotiations favorable to China. Since the announcement on the 8th that U.S. and Chinese trade representatives would strive to comply with the trade agreement, the frosty relations between the two countries have continued.

On the 12th, China’s state-run Global Times reported that among hardline hawkish officials, there is a movement to seek new trade negotiations with the United States. Some officials have expressed opinions that the Phase One trade agreement signed in January should be reviewed and new trade negotiations should be conducted. The newspaper explained that this means China could adjust the terms in a direction more favorable to itself and present a new negotiation proposal.

This atmosphere within the Chinese officialdom is largely influenced by the U.S. offensive blaming China for the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). One official explained, "The malicious attacks from the U.S. have triggered a 'tsunami of anger' among Chinese officials." He added, "China chose a compromise to conclude the Phase One trade agreement, but (in the current situation) suspending the Phase One trade agreement would be more advantageous for China." Another official said, "With the U.S. facing an election and economic downturn, if trade negotiations return to square one, the U.S. will not have the luxury to restart the trade war," and "Since the Phase One trade agreement, the U.S. has strengthened crackdowns on China in various fields such as technology, politics, and military. If China now takes a step back on trade issues, the U.S. will fall into a trap."

In response to China’s stance, President Trump bluntly said, "I have no interest at all." At a briefing held at the White House Rose Garden on the 11th (local time), he answered this way when asked about the possibility of renegotiating the trade agreement on terms favorable to China.

President Trump said, "We signed the agreement. I have also heard that they (China) want to resume trade negotiations to make a better deal. China has used the U.S. for decades," criticizing China and emphasizing, "Let’s see if they keep the agreement they signed."

However, criticism of China remained. When asked about reports that China is trying to hack the COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the U.S., President Trump openly expressed anti-China sentiment, saying, "I don’t like China. They should have stopped (the spread of COVID-19)."

Peter Navarro, Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, also stated in interviews with CBS, Fox News, and others, "They have caused tremendous damage to the world. The cost we have had to allocate to fight this battle is close to $10 trillion. I strongly believe the American people think there must be compensation in some form." He did not mention whether he advised President Trump to scrap the Phase One trade agreement.

Despite U.S. pressure, there are opinions that China will not be easily subdued. Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Institute of World Economics and Politics of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said in an interview with the Global Times, "Even if the trade war restarts, China knows how to respond and will retaliate swiftly, causing serious harm to the U.S. economy."

Chinese-American CBS White House correspondent who had a heated exchange with President Donald Trump.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the same day, President Trump faced intense criticism from the U.S. media for making inappropriate remarks to a Chinese-American CBS reporter. When the CBS reporter asked, "Why do you see testing as an international competition when Americans are dying every day?" Trump responded irritably, "That’s a question you should ask China." The two engaged in a heated exchange, and during this, a CNN reporter asked a question, but President Trump did not take it and left the briefing room.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.