Trump Softens China Trade Attack, China Seeks ‘Calm Negotiations’

Aug. 26, 2019 (EIRNS)—U.S. President Donald Trump dialed back his attack on China’s trade policies after Chinese negotiators contacted the U.S., seeking more talks over the weekend, according to the South China Morning Post today.

Today President Trump called China President Xi Jinping a “great leader,” after recently labelling him “a U.S. enemy.” Trump had threatened to order all American businesses to leave China by invoking an emergency law used mainly against rogue states, SCMP reported.

This morning, President Trump praised President Xi in a Twitter message,

“Great respect for the fact that President Xi & his Representatives want ‘calm resolution.’ So impressed that they are willing to come out & state the facts so accurately. This is why he is a great leader & representing a great country. Talks are continuing!”

Asked about Trump’s about-face, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he could not confirm the U.S. President’s comments about further negotiations.

Earlier today, top Chinese trade negotiator Vice-Premier Liu He said “We are willing to resolve the trade dispute with the U.S. through calm negotiations,” speaking to the Smart China Expo in Chongqing, Sichuan province, reported SCMP. Liu told the audience, “We resolutely oppose the escalation of the trade war, which is not beneficial to the U.S. or China. It is also not beneficial to the world.”