Trump Asia Visit Expected to Send 'Clear Message' to China to Make Trade Fairer
After President Donald Trump arrives in Beijing Nov. 8, he and other U.S. officials intend to send a “clear message” that China “must provide fair and reciprocal treatment” to U.S. firms and stop predatory trade and investment practices, in order for bilateral economic relations to be sustained well into the future, a senior administration official said Oct. 31, during a background briefing on Trump’s upcoming Asia trip. Securing China’s progress on several bilateral economic issues has become more difficult, apparently reflecting a “slowdown and even a retreat” with regard to China’s transition to a market economy, according to another administration official.
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“It will be no surprise that the President will continue to push China to follow through on commitments that it's made recently and also when it joined the WTO to take steps towards a more market-oriented economy,” the second official said. During the trip, which will also include stops in Japan, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, Trump will focus on removing unfair trade barriers, reduction of “chronic trade deficits” and intellectual property rights, the second official said. Economics will be a key part of Trump’s discussion with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, as both countries remain committed to “working together to address concerns with the U.S.-Korea” Free Trade Agreement, the second official said.