After numerous pompous threats made on China, Trump may be ready to back down.
The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. Proposing New Round of Trade Talks With China.
The Trump administration is giving Beijing another chance to try to stave off new tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese exports, asking top officials for a fresh round of trade talks later this month, people briefed on the matter said.
The invitation from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin comes as some Trump officials said they sense a new vulnerability—and possibly more flexibility—among Chinese officials pressured by U.S. tariffs imposed earlier this year and threats for more.
It also follows a steady rise in political pressure on President Trump to ease up on trade fights—which have pinched consumers and prompted painful retaliation against U.S. exports—ahead of November elections in which his Republican Party risks losing congressional control.
Sense of Flexibility? Where?
The preceding two paragraphs could theoretically be true, but I propose the first isn’t.
There is no new vulnerability in China. There is however a Beige Book report that shows rising concerns about tariffs in all 12 Fed districts.
The Trump administration is scared sh*tless over the mid-term elections, and rightfully so. I expect Republicans will lose the House. They could even lose the Senate if tariff blowbacks are strong enough.
Then what? Who knows?
I did not expect this flip-flop, and it’s hard to say if it even is a flip-flop that will last more than a week, if even a day.
Once the mid-term elections are out of the way, will Trump abandon any deal he makes with China (assuming he makes one)?
That question has to be on China’s mind. And as I have noted before, everyone now understands Trumps alleged “Art of the Deal” and is playing the same game.
