‘Deep respect’: analysts weigh in on Trump’s red carpet welcome f

The Chinese leader’s state visit opened with two early signals seen as positive: Washington and Beijing extended a tariff truce, and US President Donald Trump personally welcomed Xi Jinping on the tarmac.

Tariff pause extended into January

China and the US agreed to extend a tariff truce that had been set to expire in November.

The extension will run for two months through January 10.

Analysts viewed the move as an early sign that the world’s two largest economies remain willing to negotiate broader agreements.

The extension also suggested an effort to build positive momentum despite an increasingly heightened rivalry across a range of issues.

Welcome ceremony adds to positive tone

Trump’s personal welcome for Xi came on the tarmac as part of an elaborate greeting ceremony.

That ceremony immediately followed the tariff truce extension, placing both developments at the start of the Chinese leader’s trip.

Analysts said the combination meant Xi’s state visit had begun on a positive note.

Analysts see careful management of tensions

John Gong, a professor of economics at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, said the length of the extension was shorter than some had expected.

“While the two-month trade truce extension is shorter than observers originally expected, any extension is a positive sign that both sides can effectively manage their differences,” Gong said.

His assessment placed emphasis not on the duration alone, but on the fact that the two sides reached an extension despite wider rivalry.

Source: South China Morning Post