Claire Reade Discusses U.S.-China Trade Dynamics and Trump-Xi Summit with BBC and Al Jazeera
Claire Reade, Arnold & Porter senior counsel and former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs, recently spoke with BBC and Al Jazeera to discuss the realistic prospects for U.S.-China trade negotiations ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
Appearing on the BBC, Claire noted that China is unlikely to make major concessions or alter the status quo. “China is working very hard to ensure that it becomes independent of other countries, including the United States, in its development,” she said. Meanwhile, Trump would benefit from positive press if he could negotiate additional trade openings with China, according to Claire.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Claire emphasized the broader strategic tensions shaping the relationship, noting that “China does not trust the U.S.” and views the relationship through the lens of “long-term global competition,” dynamics she said significantly constrain the scope of any potential agreement.
In discussing possible outcomes of the summit, Claire suggested that China may ease restrictions on certain U.S. imports or purchase additional American goods, rather than pursue substantive structural reforms. She further explained that China would only ease restrictions on U.S. technology imports if doing so did not “interfere with China’s strategic plans to eliminate dependence on U.S. technology over the longer term.”
