U.S. to Investigate China’s Compliance With 2020 Trade Deal

The United States is set to launch an investigation into China’s adherence to the trade deal agreed upon in 2020, a move that comes at a critical juncture in bilateral relations. The probe is expected to take place just before a highly anticipated meeting between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week.

The investigation will focus on whether China has fulfilled its commitments under the Phase One trade agreement, which was signed in January 2020. The deal was intended to ease tensions between the two nations after a prolonged trade war, with China agreeing to increase purchases of U.S. goods and services, as well as implement structural reforms to address long-standing trade issues.

The U.S. Trade Representative’s office (USTR) is expected to lead the investigation, which will assess China’s progress in meeting its obligations under the agreement. The probe is likely to scrutinize China’s record on issues such as intellectual property protection, technology transfer, and market access.

The timing of the investigation is significant, as it comes ahead of a meeting between President Trump and President Xi, which is expected to take place on the sidelines of a major international gathering next week. The meeting is seen as an opportunity for the two leaders to discuss a range of issues, including trade, security, and the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The investigation into China’s compliance with the 2020 trade deal is likely to be viewed as a test of the bilateral relationship, which has been strained in recent years. While the Phase One agreement was seen as a major breakthrough, tensions have persisted between the two nations on a range of issues, including trade, security, and human rights.

The U.S. move to investigate China’s compliance with the trade deal is also likely to be seen as a demonstration of the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing the agreement and holding China accountable for its actions. The investigation is expected to be closely watched by businesses, policymakers, and markets, which are eager to see whether the two nations can make progress on their trade differences.