Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He and US President Donald Trump shake hands after signing the phase one trade deal at the White House in Washington on January 15. Photo: EPA-EFE
Opinion
Opinion
Will China stick to the phase one trade deal? That depends on whether it fosters stability
- Chinese President Xi Jinping staying away from the signing of the deal suggests Beijing is leaving open how far it will abide by it
- At present, the deal fosters China’s larger goal of stability and does not challenge its economic model, which is veering back towards state control
Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He and US President Donald Trump shake hands after signing the phase one trade deal at the White House in Washington on January 15. Photo: EPA-EFE