Chinese Media Dead Silent Over “Phase One” Trade Deal 

Markets are closed in Beijing, the workday is over, and there no official reports in local media of an actual trade deal, that is because, as we explained on Thursday night, the language of the deal will never be made public and there would be no signing event between President Trump and President Xi. One may ask if there is even a “deal”?

A Chinese official told Reuters on Friday that the trade deal is more of a “final offer” that has been approved by the Trump  administration but not yet affirmed by Beijing. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying wouldn’t even comment when asked by reporters about whether an agreement has been reached, though it has been widely reported in US media that a phase one trade deal has been signed. 

“China is committed to constructive dialogue to resolve and manage our differences, and believe … the deal must be mutually beneficial,” she said.

Confirming that the Chinese media may have been directed not to comment on the alleged deal, Global Times editor, Hu Xijin, tweeted: “Chinese authorities and official media so far haven’t given any information on China and the US are close to a deal. As the US side released optimistic information through various channels, the Chinse side has basically kept silent.”

Chinese authorities and official media so far haven’t given any information on China and the US are close to a deal. As the US side released optimistic information through various channels, the Chinse side has basically kept silent. This is a delicate situation.

— Hu Xijin 胡锡进 (@HuXijin_GT) December 13, 2019

Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi spoke Friday at an annual symposium in Beijing on international affairs and said the US has severely damaged the hard-won mutual trust between both countries: “Such behavior is almost paranoid, and is indeed rare in international exchanges, seriously damaging the hard-won foundation of mutual trust between China and the United States, and seriously weakening the United States’ international credibility.”

Needless to say, very strange commentary for a side that just reached a historic trade accord.

Fox Business correspondent Edwards Lawrence noted Thursday night that the Chinese have requested that the language of the trade deal will never be made public. In other words, there is (supposedly) a “deal,” written on paper somewhere, specifying certain terms, and signed by certain US and Chinese presidents. And nobody will ever see what that deal actually states.

The first rule of trade deal is never mention trade deal.

— Mike Jasinski (@jasinskm) December 13, 2019

Lawrence also said China “verbally agreed to buy $50b in agriculture, but that will not be in writing.” 

And for a reality check, Reuters commodity analyst Karen Braun had serious doubts that China would be buying $50 billion worth of US agriculture products because the numbers just don’t add up. 

Here’s more from Braun: “And if you consider Ag & Related Products (includes fish & forestry products) – max was $29 billion in 2013. So this is the absolute max previous ceiling considering all exports that could be considered ag. I’m not seeing how $50B is possible in 2020.”

And if you consider Ag & Related Products (includes fish & forestry products) – max was $29 billion in 2013. So this is the absolute max previous ceiling considering all exports that could be considered ag.

I’m not seeing how $50B is possible in 2020.

— Karen Braun (@kannbwx) December 12, 2019

Other commodity analysts agreed with Braun, indicating that, “There’s just no logistical way that they can double imports in a year,” or probably ever, said INTL FCStone Asia commodity analyst Darin Friedrichs.

CNBC’s Eunice Yoon added the $50 billion in agriculture purchases was a “hard target” for the Chinese. Yoon said if there were a deal, then it would surely draw complaints by Europe and South American countries at the WTO.

Nearing end of work day in #China, and this is still true. Official media reporting on #trade deal? Nada. https://t.co/5KVsnnoq7M

— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) December 13, 2019

Hearing from sources here- one government- #China leaders not yet accepted deal. Issues? 1) $50bln purchases hard target. Other #trade partners (Europe, LatAm) complain about what is seen as “reallocation of purchases”, could challenge Beijing at @wto.. https://t.co/e3fVGNr2Zk

— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) December 13, 2019

1a) to reach large hard target, #China would have to order state firms to buy since government itself doesn’t purchase. Concern that would not reflect well on Beijing which has been pushing market-oriented policies…

— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) December 13, 2019

1a) to reach large hard target, #China would have to order state firms to buy since government itself doesn’t purchase. Concern that would not reflect well on Beijing which has been pushing market-oriented policies…

— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) December 13, 2019

3) Domestic public perception. Phase one deal could be seen as “symbol” bilateral ties back on track. Concern is US, esp. Congress, would continue to attack #China on #HongKong, #Xinjiang into 2020 so awkward. With nationalism rising, Chinese might question Beijing decision.

— Eunice Yoon (@onlyyoontv) December 13, 2019

Putting this all together, President Trump’s self-proclaimed phase one trade deal is likely a proposal at the moment for the Chinese. And even if the Chinese agree to it, it may never become public. 

How to make sense of all of this? Recall that earlier this week, Peter Navarro was complaining that China had taken control over the narrative. So by laying out the terms of the “concluded” deal, it is possible the Trump administration is seeking to force the Chinese into an agreement so Trump can get a political win, because that’s really what a phase one deal is about. 

Should the Chinese reject the terms of the proposal, such as the massive $50 billion in agriculture purchases, Trump can now effectively scapegoat China for blowing up the trade deal, just as he did back in May, which brings us back to the Trade war cycle…