US, China Reportedly Postpone Trade Review Meeting

U.S. and Chinese trade officials postponed a virtual meeting that was to be held on Saturday, Aug. 15, and was expected to include a review of the implementation of the phase one trade deal, an Aug. 14 Reuters report said. The meeting was delayed due to “scheduling conflicts” and to allow China more time to purchase U.S. goods, Reuters said. The two sides haven't set a new date, it said. The White House and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative did not comment. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson declined to comment during an Aug. 17 news conference.

Speaking with reporters Aug. 15, President Donald Trump touted China’s agricultural purchases, citing sales of 1.9 million metric tons of corn reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture July 30. Trump said China has also bought “a massive amount of soybeans” and cattle. “So China has been buying a lot of things,” he said, “and they’re doing that to keep me happy.”