Wary of President Donald Trump's penchant for abruptly changing his mind, China warns Washington to "avoid backpedaling" even before the start of talks to firm up initial agreements announced on Oct. 11.
Trump on Friday announced what he says is phase one of a verbal trade deal that will see the U.S. suspend a tariff increase to 30% from 25% on $250 billion in Chinese goods set to take effect today. Trump, however, did not roll back a tariff hike implemented in September nor did he make any mention about either suspending or doing away with a tariff hike set to be implemented on Dec. 15.
Trump claims China has started to buy U.S. agricultural products worth up to $50 billion but has not produced any proof China has agreed to this commitment. This led some U. S. analysts to say Trump is again resorting to lies in another attempt to mollify and deceive U.S. farmers hard hit by his trade war against China.
"While the negotiations do appear to have produced a fundamental understanding of the key issues and the broader benefits of friendly relations, the Champagne should probably be kept on ice, at least until the two presidents put pen to paper," said an opinion piece published Sunday in China Daily, a daily English language newspaper owned by the Communist Party of China (CPC).
The opinion piece carried the title, "Let's nail down 'phase one' before moving to the next." It expressed dismay at the Trump administration's unpredictability when it comes to foreign policy and its past broken promises.
"As based on its past practice, there is always the possibility that Washington may decide to cancel the deal if it thinks that doing so will better serve its interests," said the editorial.
"The US should avoid backpedaling, as it has in the past, and instead cherish what has been achieved as a manifestation of a healthy and steady China-US relationship that serves the interests of both countries and the world."
The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the CPC, said in an editorial on Saturday "There are no winners in a trade war, and both parties must not fall into a lose-lose trap."
Other Chinese state-owned media outlets warned the U.S. over the weekend to "avoid backpedaling" on the partial trade agreement. They expressed caution about the initial phase of the deal Trump claims is "very substantial."
Based on its past practice with Trump, China said there is always the possibility Trump will change his mind and decide to cancel the deal if it thinks that doing so will better serve his interests.
