US President Donald Trump says he believes China sincerely seeks a trade deal
- Trump, in news conference at end of Group of Seven summit, seems to overestimate stature of China’s lead negotiator Liu He
- G7 issues brief statement on Hong Kong, reaffirming ‘importance of the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984’
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was confident that China was sincere about wanting a trade deal with the United States because it had taken “a very large hit” in recent months.
“I think they want to make a deal very badly. I think that was elevated last night. The vice-chairman of China came out, he said he wants to see a deal made,” Trump told a news conference at the end of the Group of Seven summit meeting in Biarritz, France.
Separately, the G7’s final declaration lists Hong Kong as one of five points where all seven leaders reached agreement on. The others concerned the World Trade Organisation, Iran, Libya and Ukraine.
“The G7 reaffirms the existence and importance of the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 on Hong Kong and appeals for avoidance of violence,” it read.
In his remarks, Trump appears to have misunderstood the true political ranking of Liu He when he accepted the statement from China’s top trade negotiator calling for calm dialogue amid the trade war.
“The vice-chairman makes a statement that he wants to make a deal,” Trump said. “The vice-chairman of China – can you get higher than that other than President Xi?”
