China Met Just 5% of US Energy Purchase Commitments in First Half of 2020, Report Says

China has met only 5% of its purchase commitments of U.S. energy products through the first half of 2020, falling significantly short of the $25.3 billion in commitments outlined in the phase one trade deal, Reuters reported Aug. 4. China has imported about $1.29 billion worth of U.S. energy products, including crude oil, liquefied natural gas and metallurgical coal, the report said. Trade experts have said China is unlikely to meet the deal’s commitments, partly due to worsening U.S.-China relations and the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2006100053). China said in July it still plans to fulfill the commitments despite a series of recent U.S. sanctions and export restrictions (see 2007160024).