The two governments have raised tariffs on
billions of dollars of each other’s goods. That
has battered farmers and manufacturers on
both sides and fueled fears the global economy,
which already is showing signs of cooling, might
tip into recession.
Beijing announced it will lift punitive tariffs on
American soybeans, China’s biggest import
from the United States. That followed President
Donald Trump’s decision to postpone a tariff
hike on Chinese imports. But there has been
no sign of progress on the core issues in their
sprawling dispute.
Negotiations between Washington and Beijing
broke down in May over how to enforce any deal.
Beijing says Trump’s tariff hikes must be
lifted as soon as an agreement takes effect.
Washington wants to keep some in place to
ensure Chinese compliance.
Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed
in June to resume talks but the last round in
Shanghai in July produced no progress.
Washington wants Beijing to roll back plans for
state-led development of leaders in robotics and
other technologies that some American officials
worry will erode U.S. industrial leadership.
The World Bank and a Chinese Cabinet agency, in
a report issued this week, urged Beijing to open
markets and curb subsidies and official involvement
in technology industries that it says might hamper
development instead of promoting it.
The report on China’s fledgling technology was
commissioned three years ago, well before the
trade war with Trump over trade and Beijing’s
technology ambitions erupted.