Claire Reade Discusses U.S.-China Trade Dynamics with Bloomberg TV and CNBC Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Claire Reade, Arnold & Porter senior counsel and former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China Affairs, appeared on Bloomberg TV's "Insight with Haslinda Amin" and spoke with CNBC to discuss the state of U.S.-China trade relations ahead of the summit between President Trump and President Xi Jinping.
On Bloomberg TV, assessing reports that Xi may not bring a business delegation to the summit, Claire said the move signals the limited scope of deals likely to emerge from the visit, given how complicated it has become to encourage Chinese investment in the United States. She said, "It may also be an indication that he doesn't want to bring along companies where he's not going to be able to demonstrate progress in terms of breaking down barriers to the U.S. market."
Claire also weighed in on the balance of leverage between the two countries, noting that Washington's read on Beijing's negotiating position has shifted over the course of the administration as officials have come to recognize the strength of China's hand. "That doesn't mean there isn't U.S. leverage, but I think it means the two sides are on a much more even footing when it comes to applying pressure," she said.
Speaking separately with CNBC, Claire pointed to the current trade truce, set to expire in early November, as one specific area where the U.S. retains an advantage. "They're not going to want to let go of that leverage on the truce [by letting it] extend too far into the future," she said.
