Cooperation between the two countries depends on how the trade deal is implemented, said the American leader.
The United States will build further engagement with China on the basis of how Beijing implements the first phase of its bilateral trade deal with Washington. This was stated by US President Donald Trump at a briefing for journalists at the White House on Monday.
“We just signed a trade deal. This is probably the biggest deal ever made. Hopefully they’ll honor that trade deal. If they do not comply with this trade deal, I will give you another answer”, – said the U.S. leader, commenting on a request to know if the U.S. is willing to cooperate with China amid a pandemic caused by the spread of coronavirus.
The head of the American administration confirmed that he expects China to fulfill the trade agreements reached.
“I believe that they will [fulfill the terms of the agreement]. They will direct billions of dollars to agriculture, billions of dollars to many other things. And China has never spent money in our country before, we have, for years, had a trade deficit with China amounting to $400-500 billion. We had the largest trade deficit [in trade] with China in the world. Now, China has agreed to spend <…> many billions of dollars in our country, and much of it will go to farmers and industry”, – Trump said.
“I will answer you in a few months. I want to see what steps they will take. It’s time for them to help us, for China to help us. Let’s hope they will do so”, – said the White House head. – “We’ll see”, – he specified, – “whether the [trade] deal is executed. I think it will be done, because I know President Xi Jinping, who I like and respect. I think he will fulfill the agreement concluded with us <…>”, – Trump said.
In addition, he admitted that he had already made inquiries about whether China had started buying American agricultural products under the new deal and had received an affirmative answer. However, China could have been more active in this area, the US president added.