President Donald Trump listens to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speak at the White House last year. The USTR described the deal as “historic and enforceable”, in contrast to Beijing’s subdued tone. Photo: Washington Post President Donald Trump listens to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speak at the White House last year. The USTR described the deal as “historic and enforceable”, in contrast to Beijing’s subdued tone. Photo: Washington Post
President Donald Trump listens to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speak at the White House last year. The USTR described the deal as “historic and enforceable”, in contrast to Beijing’s subdued tone. Photo: Washington Post
Brian P. Klein
Opinion

Opinion

Brian P. Klein

Trump’s ‘historic’ trade deal with China is a poor bargain for US businesses and consumers

  • Deal offers nothing new on IP, tech transfer, currency, agriculture, financial services or dispute resolution, but lets China off with promises of vague reform
  • Meanwhile, US businesses and consumers have been left to continue footing the bill

Brian P. Klein
Brian P. Klein

Updated: 4:47am, 19 Dec, 2019

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President Donald Trump listens to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speak at the White House last year. The USTR described the deal as “historic and enforceable”, in contrast to Beijing’s subdued tone. Photo: Washington Post President Donald Trump listens to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speak at the White House last year. The USTR described the deal as “historic and enforceable”, in contrast to Beijing’s subdued tone. Photo: Washington Post
President Donald Trump listens to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer speak at the White House last year. The USTR described the deal as “historic and enforceable”, in contrast to Beijing’s subdued tone. Photo: Washington Post
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Brian P. Klein

Brian P. Klein

Brian P. Klein (@brianpklein) is a geopolitical and economic strategist and former US diplomat.