A recent agreement between the United States and China came amid long-standing concerns about Beijing’s implementation of trade and technology commitments, leading to doubts about whether the new promises will be put into action.
During the October 30 summit in South Korea, the two countries reached a ceasefire agreement that included a suspension of rising tariffs and Chinese commitments to expand purchases of U.S. agricultural products as well as enhanced cooperation on the control of the precursor fentanyl According to China Briefing.
However, analysts point to China’s history of failing to deliver on major deals. For example, in the 2019 “Phase One” trade deal, China pledged to increase imports of U.S. goods by about $200 billion above 2017 levels, but has only achieved about 58% of that target.
An expert told The Epoch Times, “Speaking one way and acting another – this is common in the Chinese Communist Party.”
U.S. officials say the latest deal seeks to address past shortcomings by including tangible tools, such as performance-based tariff reductions and close monitoring of China’s commitments. But critics warn that Beijing will continue to use unclear regulatory practices, force technology transfers, and exploit its position in global supply chains According to Council on Foreign Relations.
Actual implementation will be tested in the coming months as US trade agencies launch investigations under Section 301 into China’s compliance with export control and market access provisions.
