US-China trade talks opportunity for Beijing to ‘negotiate and manage’ growing hostilities
- Beijing is expected to use upcoming trade talks between China and the US to prevent bilateral relations from collapsing completely, analysts say
- Relations have sunk to all time lows in recent weeks as the two nations spar over the coronavirus pandemic, Hong Kong, Xinjiang and technology
China is expected to use the upcoming trade talks with the United States as a chance to prevent, or at least slow, a full-fledged confrontation erupting between the world’s two largest economies, analysts said.
The meeting, a semi-annual review agreed upon when the deal was signed in January, was expected to discuss, among other obligations, progress on Washington’s demands that China buy US$200 billion worth of American goods and services over the next two years.
China, which has promised to honour the agreement, is lagging far behind on the purchases as the coronavirus has dampened demand.
The meeting, even if delayed, is a gesture that bilateral issues can be negotiated and managed
While trade may be at the top of the agenda, the talks will be a rare platform for senior officials to tone down growing bilateral hostilities and for Beijing to keep relations on track ahead of the US presidential election on November 3, according to analysts.